168? I/TORV O F New York. 1882. Ex Safaris SEYMOUR DURST -f ' 'Fort nte-iiw drnjltrdam. op Je }Aanha.tan$ When you leave, please leave this book Because it has been said "Sver'thing comes t' him who waits Except a loaned book." Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library Gift of Seymour B. Durst Old York Library V 1683. QUEENS COUNTY YO^ WITH Illustrations, portraits, & Sketche s OF PROMINENT FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS. NEW YORK: W. W. MUNSELL & CO. 36 Vesey Street. 1882. PRESS OK GEORGE MACNAMAKA, :»> VESEY STREET, NEW YORK o£?srfe 0 TABLE OF CONTENTS. OUTLINE HISTORY OF NEW YORK. CHAPTER I. I'AGE. Discovery of New York- -The Indians of the Five Nations 7,8 CHAPTER II. New York under the Dutch— English Gov- ernors to 1075 8-10 CHAPTER III. War with France and the Commencement of the Revolution 10,13 CHAPTER IV. Revolutionary Events in New York— The State Government Established 11,12 CHAPTER Y. The War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain 12, 13 CHAPTER. VI. Internal improvements Constitutional Amendments— Schools Statistics 13-15 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND, CHAPTER I. A Sketch of the Topography, Geology and Natural History of Long Island 10-18 CHAPTER II. The Indians of Long island— Territory, Characteristics, and Relations with the Whites 18-22 CHAPTER III. Discovery and Settlement of Long Island —History of Colonial Times 22-20 CHAPTER IV. Customs, Characteristics and Institutions of the Early Long Islanders 27-11(1 CHAPTER V. The partieipation of Long Island in the War with France 30, 31 CHAPTER YI. Beginning of the Revolution— Prevalence of Toryism Independent Spirit In Suf- folk 81-84 CHAPTER VII. The British Invasion Battle of Brooklyn Washington's Retreat 84 86 CHAPTER VIII. Long Island in British Hands Raids from the Mainland Smuggling — The Prison Ships Nathaniel Woodhull 37 41 CHAPTER IX. The War of I812-Pri\ ateering-Thc For- tification of Long- Island 41 43 CHAPTER X. The Construction of Wag-on Roads and Railroads on Long Island 43,41 CHAPTER XI. The Agricultural Capabilities and Develop- ment of Long Island 44-46 CHAPTER XII. Formation and Growth of the Long Island Historical Society 46-48 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. CHAPTER I. Civil History of the County— Crimes and Penalties— The Court-House— Officials. . . 4!i -55 CHAPTER II. Early Schools and Studies— The Establish- ment of Academies 55-87 CHAPTER III. The Cradle of American Horse Racing- Courses and Coursers of Old 57-59 CHAPTER IV. The Timber Growth of Queens County - It-; Uses— The Nursery Growths 59,60 CHAPTER V. History-of the Queens ( ounty Agricultural Society 60-64 CHAPTER YI. Queens County in the Civil War- Record of the Volunteers, 65-78 TOWN, VILLAGE AND CITY HISTORIES. Flushing 74-143 Hempstead 144 1112 Jamaica 193-258 Long Island City 259-326 Newtown 329 400 North Hempstead 409-467 Oyster Hay 168-578 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Altiertson, T. W 480 Allen, Benjamin w 13s Allen, Mrs. B. W 438 Alsop Family 3411 Ait-Muiier, George 526 Angeviue, Lewis \V |gR Armstrong, John J ^47 Baokus> Ascau 344 Hell, Robert M IjQ Belmont, Perry 570 Bennett, Jacob 262 Bergen, George w j.-,.-, BettS, Richard .' 340 Hirdsall, John ,-,73 liloodgood Family tin Bloomer, Joshua 241 Rrinekerhoff Family 343 Brlnckerhoff, John H 253 Urown.JohnW 290 Brutncll, Richard 259 Burnet, Matthias 233 Burroughs Family 344 Burroughs, Robert 355 Burtis, Oliver D 548 Bryant, William Cullen 446 Carpenter, James S 525 Charlick, Oliver 575 Clark, John M 431 Clement, Charles H 156 Cock, Townsend I) 508 Cock, William T 511 Colden, Cadwallader D 86 Colgan, Thomas 239 Colyer, Charles 497 Cornell Family 89 Corsa, Isaac 89 Covert, Charles G 384 Crfmmin, John 294 Cutting, Leonard 170 De Bevoise Family 317 l)e Bevoise, Abraham 252 De Be Yoise, Adrianna 351 De Bevoise, Charles 1 352 De He Voise, Cornelius S 350 De Bevoise, Henry S 280 De Be Yoise, John 349 De Be Voise, John C. 349 De Bevoise, John 1 321 Debcvoise, John M 352 Dennett, A. K. P UB Denton, Richard 173 Ditmars Family S5fl Downing, Benjamin w 136 Downing, George S 580 Duryea, John S 40s Eastman, Henry W 456 Einbrco Family S6 Farrington Family 88 Feakes, John 507 Fish Family 341 Floyd-Jones, William 570 Fosdick, Morris gjfl Geisscnhainer. F. W ;8f_> Green oak, John '.'67 Griffin Family 152 (irosjean, F 214 Hallett Family 344 Hallett, William 80,186 Halsey, Stephen A 272 Bavlland Family 89 Havlland, Isaac E 481 liegeman, Daniel 541 Heltz, John F 551 ller/.og, Frederick 550 Hewlett Family 432 Hewlett, Jacob C . 503 Hewlett. Joseph L 434 Hewlett, William II 188 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Hicks. Elias 400 Hicks Family.. 80 Hopkins, John IJ • 20!> Hunter, George 262 Hunter, Jacob 205 Jackson Family 159,408 Jackson, John C 314 Johnson Family 248 Johnson, Martin G 250-b Jones Family 552 Jones, Charles H 555 Jones, David W 556 Jones, John I) 558 Jones, Oliver L 555 Jones, Walter B 55" King. Kufus 255 King, Gov. John A 250 King, John Alsop 258 Kissam Family 437 Lawrence Family 90 Lawrence, John W 132 Lawrence, Joseph A 370 Lent Family 343 Leverich, Edward 398 Leverich, Charles P 401 Lewis, Francis 80 L'Hommedieu, James H 445 Licht, Philip 384 Loweroe Family 86 Ludlam Family 544 Ludlam, Henry 547 Ludlam, James M 499 Luyster Family 342 Luyster, John II 539 Maurice, James 380 Merritt, Israel J 131 Messenger, Thomas 462 Moore Family 340 Moore, Thomas L 178 Mudge, William 527 Nicoll, Delancey 140 Nicoll Family 140 Nostrand Family 250 Oakley, J. M 254 Onderdonk, Henry, .Ir 220 Paff, George N 182 Parsons, Samuel 92 Parsons, S. B 93 Pitkin, John It 219 Powell, B. S 509 Poyer, Thomas 2:!8 Praa, Peter 260 Prince Family 124 Prince, L. B 128 Hapelye, George 1 356 Renisen Family 343 Remsen, James S 251 Kiker, Samuel 369 Rodman, John 86 Roemer, Jacob 124 Rogers. Charles H 322 Rycken (Riker) Family 342 Schwalenberg, William H r 325 Seabury, Samuel 176 Seabury, Samuel, jr 240 Seaman Family 158 Smith, Richard 495 Smith, Silvanus S 460 Smith, William Mitchell 461 Snediker Family 249 Spooner, Alden J 157 Sprong, Bernard 90 Suydara Family 343 Taber, Samuel T 450 Taber. Stephen 455 Thorne Family 89 Thorne, James 520 Tompkins. Joseph J 359 Townsend Family 490 Townsentl, Solomon 491 Underbill, Daniel 543 Underbill, John 506 Urquhart, William 238 Valentine Family 89,507 Van Alst, John 1 365 Van Alst, Peter G 326 Vanderveer, George W 350 Vanderveer, H. S 407 Van Duyn, Willium 343 Van Nostrand. John E 338 Vail Pelt, Peter 319 Van Siclen, Abraham 205 Van Siclen, James 200 Van Wyek Family 200 Van Zand t Family 85 Walters Family 89 Webb, Edwin 186 Weed, Henry B 231 Weeks, William M 528 White Family 498 Whitney.Scudder V 494 Willets, Samuel 4a r > Williams, William H 309 Woodhull, Nathaniel 41 WyckolT. Nicholas... 391 Youngs, Daniel K 496 POipjUTS. Albertson, T. W 4;j<) Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin W 440,441 Alt-Muller, George 527 Angevine, Lewis W 105 Armstrong, John J 247 Backus, Ascan 345 Bell, Robert M 120 Belmont, Perry 577 Bergen, George W 154 Birdsall, John 573 Brinckerhon", John II 253 Burroughs, Robert 355 Burt is, Oliver I) 548 Bryant, William Cullen • 447 Carpenter, James s 524 Charliek, Oliver 575 ('lark, John M 4:10 Cock, Townsend D 508 Cock, William T 510 Colyer, Charles 497 Covert, Charles G 385 De Bevoise, Abraham 252 De Bevoise, Anna M 252 De Be Voise. Adrianna &51 De Bevoise. Charles 1 353 De Be Voise, Cornelius S 350 De Bevoise, Henry S 281 De Be Voise, John 349 De Be Voise, John C '. 348 De Bevoise, John 1 321 De Bevoise, Jane 320 Debevoise, John M 352 Dennett, A. K. P 135 Downing, Benjamin W 137 Downing, Geonre S 531 Duryea, H. V 519 Duryea, John S 408 Eastman, Henry W 457 Floyd-Jones, William 571 Fosdick. Morris 246 Geissenbainer, F. W 392 Haviland, Isaac E 431 Hegeman, Daniel 541 Heitz, John F 551 Herzog, Frederick 550 Hewlett, William H 433 Hewlett, William 432 Hewlett, Jacob C 562 Hewlett, Joseph L 434 Hopkins, John B 211 Hunter, Jacob 261 Jackson, John C 315 Johnson, Martin G 250-b Jones, Charles H 554 Jones. David W 556 Jones, John D 559 King, Rufus 255 Lawrence. John W '133 Lawrence, Joseph A 370 Leverich, Edward 398 Leverich, Charles P 400 L'Hommedieu, James H 444 Lleht. P 3M Ludlam, Henry 54T Ludlam, James M 499 Luyster, John B 538 Maurice, James 381 Merritt, Israel J . 131 Messenger, Thomas 463 Moore, Thomas L 176 Moore. William H 178 Mudge, William 528 Nicoll, Delancey 141 Oakley, J. M 254 Paff, George N 183 Pitkin, John R 219 Powell, B. 8 569 Prince, L. B 125 Hapelye. George 1 356 Remsen, James S 251 Hiker, Samuel 368 Roemer, Jacob 121 Rogers, Charles H 323 Schwalenberg, William H 325 Smith, Richard 495 Smith, Silvanus S 460 Smith. William Mitchell 461 Taber. Sumuel T 451 Taber, Stephen 454 Tompkins, Joseph J 359 Townsend, Solomon 491 Underbill, Daniel 543 Van Alst, John I 364 Van Alst, Peter G 327 Vanderveer, George W 357 Vanderveer, H. S 407 Van Nostrand, John E 339 Van Pelt, Peter 819 Webb, Edwin 187 Weeks, William M 528 Whitney, Seudder V 494 Willets, Samuel 465 Wyckoff, Nicholas 390 Youngs, Daniel K 496 ILLUSTRATIONS. Bergen, George W., Residence 156 Church, Grace. Jamaica 240,243,244 Church. Christ. Oyster Bay 502 Church, St. George's, Hempstead 175,177 Church Hectorv, St. George's, Hempstead. 177 Church, Presbyterian, Jamaica 233,234 Church, Reformed, Jamaica 236 Church, Union Evangelical, Corona 396 De Bevoise, J. C, Residence 348 Duryea, Starch Works 518 Frontispiece 1 Grosjean, F., Residence 215 Hewlett, George, Residence 435 Hopkins, John B., Residence 211 Jackson, Samuel C, Residence 408 Johnson, Martin G., Residence 250-b Jones, Oliver L., M. D., Hotel 566, £67 Leverich, C. D., Residence 404 Lutheran Cemetery 393 Licht, Philip. Factory 386 Lott, A. V. S., Residence 342 Nichols, G. H. & Co., Chemical Works 377 Owen, Mrs. Henry, Residence *217 Portable House Manufactory, Corona 404 Paff. George N., Residence 183 Remsen & Wainright, Hotel 163 Roe, G. B. & Co., Lumber and Coal Yard... 107 Schenck. John, Residence 535 Smith, Henry T., Brick Works 546 Stcinway & Sons' Piano Works 306,307 Taylor, John, Residence 88 Thorne, James, Residence and* Office 521 Van Wickel, George S., Residence 254 Van Siclen, Abraham, Residence 204 Van Siclen. James, Residence 207 Williams Veneer Mills 309 Wyckoff, N., Residence 388 Map of Long Island 5 Willets, Samuel, Residence 465 I PREFACE. It has heretofore been possible for the scholar, with leisure and a comprehensive library, to trace out the written history of his county by patient research among voluminous public documents and many volumes, some- times old and scarce; but these sources of information and the time to study them are not at the command of most of those who are intelligently interested in local history, and there are miny unpublished facts to be res- cued from the failing memories of the oldest residents, who would soon have carried their information with them to the grave; and others to be obtained from the citizens best informed in regard to the various interests and institutions of the county which should be treated of in giving its history. This service of research and compilation, which very few could have undertaken for themselves, the publish- ers of this work have caused to be performed. While all the standard sources of information have been con- sulted, very much of the material embodied has been gained by personal interview and originil investigation. The publishers desire to acknowledge in general terms the kindness and courtesy with which their efforts to obtain the facts recorded here have usually been met. To the proprietors of the newspapers of the county, for access to the files of their journals; to officers in charge of the public records; to clergymen, for assistance in preparing the church histories; and to the secretaries of numerous associations, for data furnished, their thanks are due. Aside from this general expression more particular men- tion is called for of several contributors to the work. Any one attempting at this day a complete history of Queens county must profit largely by the labors of Henry Onderdonk jr., whose contributions to the early history of Long Island (enumerated on page 220) are as valuable as they are voluminous. While his publications have furnished many facts incorporated in various parts of the volume, Mr. Onderdonk prepared expressly for this work the general history of the county (pages 49- 65), the history of Jamaica village (pages 220-246) the records of the Society of Friends in North Hempstead and Oyster Bay, and the account of Revolutionary events in those towns. The late Alden J. Spooner prepared chapters II and XII of the general history of Long Island (pages 18-22, 46-48), but his lamented death left the completion of them to other hands. Chapter XI of the same section of the work (pages 44-46) was written by Richard Wil- lets, of Westbury. In the preparation of the history of the town of Hempstead articles were contributed as follows: On the village of Pearsalls (pages 166, 167), by Miss Elbe F. Pearsall; the "Jerusalem" neighborhood (pages 157-162), by Edward H. Seaman; St. George's church Hemp- stead village (pages 174-178), by Rev. W. H. Moore, D. D., who also furnished the accompanying cuts; the church institutions at Garden City, by Rev. T. S. Drowne, D. D.; Seaford, New Bridge, Bellmore and Smithville South (pages 169- 171), by Thomas D. Smith; and Rockville Centre and East Rockaway (pages 163- 1 66, 170, by John Rhodes and Oliver Denton. The very valuable early history of the town of North Hempstead (pages 409-412) was contributed by H. G. Onderdonk, of Manhasset, to whom the publishers are also indebted for other assistance. The history of the Methodist Episcopal churches of this town was written by Rev. E. Warriner, from, a portion of the material which he has for years been collecting for his forthcom- ing " Cyclopedia of Long Island Methodism." The value of these articles and the amount of research in- volved in their preparation will be recognized by all readers. The section on the agriculture of North Hemp- stead (pages 416, 417) is by Benjamin D. Hicks, and we are indebted to that gentleman for other favors. The account of journalism in the town was furnished by H. W. Eastman; that of the schools by Commissioner C. E. Surdam; that of the Roslyn mills by Walter Hicks; and notes on Port Washington and the oyster business by Warren Weeks. Histories of the religious institutions of the town, other than the M. E. churches above men- tioned, were contributed as follows: Christ church Manhasset, Rev. J. E. Homans; Westbury union Sunday-school, Miss Henrietta Titus; Reformed church of Manhasset (in part), Warren Mitchell; Trinity church Roslyn, Rev. William C. Brush; St. Aloysius church. Great Neck, Rev. E. J. Smith; the Ro- man Catholic church at Roslyn, Rev. M. C. Brennan; Roslyn Presbyterian church, J. Browne jr.; Baptist church of Port Washington, James E. Bird. Contributions to the history of the town of Oyster Bay were made as follows- Sea Clitl (page 529) Rev. W. H. De Puy, D. D.; agriculture (pages 487, 488), Daniel K. Youngs; Odd Fellows' lodge, Glen Cove (page 520), W. M. Peck; Syosset (pages 547, 548), O. D. Burtis; Glen Cove and Matinecock (pages 505-525), J. T. Bowne; Hicksville (page 549), John F. Heitz; churches of Oyster Bay village — Episcopal Rev. W. M. Geer, Baptist Rev. C. S. Wightman, Presbyterian Rev. A. G. Russell, Method- ist Episcopal William Ludlam; churches of Glen Cove — Presbyterian Rev. T. S. Bradner, Methodist Episco- pal Rev. J. S. Gilder, Protestant Episcopal Rev. J. C. Middleton; Brookville Reformed church, Rev. J. H. Davis; Locust Valley Reformed church, Rev. A. De W. Mason; East Norwich M. E. church, H. H. Frost; Jones Institute, Walter Franklin. The author of the history of this town would acknowledge the kind assistance given in its preparation by the town clerk, John N. Remsen, and by Miss Letitia Townsend; many facts in the early history of the town were taken by permission from the "Townsend Memorial." Other acknowledgments are made in different parts of the history itself. So much time is necessarily consumed in preparing and printing a work of the magnitude of this that the parts first done may not in all cases embody the latest information, as, for example, in giving a list of the pas- tors of a church or the officers of an organization or a town; this would be inevitable at whatever time the vol- ume might be issued. Thus: while the supervisors are the same in several towns as in 1881, the present super- visor of Newtown is Thomas F. McGowan; of North Hempstead, Jacob Powell; Hempstead, Martin V.Wood. While some unimportant errors may perhaps be found amid the multitude of details entering into the composi- tion of a work of this character, the publishers yet present this result of many months' labor as a reliable and orderly narrative of all the events in the history of Queens county of sufficient importance to merit such record. OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. CHAPTER I. DISCOVERY OF NEW YORK THE INDIANS OF THE FIVE NATIONS. 1524 John de Verazzano, a Florentine navi- gator in the service of Francis the First of France, made a voyage to the North American coast, and, as is believed from the account which he gave, entered the harbor of New jj>^ v York. No colonies were planted, and no results followed; and the voyage was almost forgotten. Though discoveries were made by the French north from this point, and colonies planted by the English farther to the south, it is not known that New York was again visited by Europeans till 1609, when the Dutch East India Company sent Flendrick Hudson, an English- man by birth, on a voyage of discovery in a vessel called the "Half Moon." He reached the coast of Maine, sailed thence to Cape Cod, then southwesterly to the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, then, coasting northward, he entered Delaware Bay on the 28th of August. From thence he proceeded northward, and on the 3d of September, 1609, anchored in New York Bay. On the 12th he entered the river that bears his name, and proceeded slowly up to a point just above the present site of the city of Hud- son; thence he sent a boat's crew to explore farther up, and they passed above Albany. September 23d he set sail down the river, and immediately returned to Europe. In 1607 Samuel Champlain, a French navigator, sailed up the St. Lawrence, explored its tributaries, and on the 4th of July in that year discovered the lake which bear:; his name. At the time of the discovery of New York by the whites the southern and eastern portions were inhabited by the Mahican or Mohegan Indians; while that portion west from the Hudson River was occupied by five con- federate tribes, afterwards named bv the English the Five Nations, and by the French the Iroquois, and by themselves called Hodenosaunee — people of the long house. The long house formed by this confederacy ex- tended east and west through the State, having at its eastern portal the Mohawks, and at its western the Sen- ecas; while between them dwelt the Oneidas, Ononda- gas, and Cayugas; and after 1714 a sixth nation, the Tuscaroras, southeast from Oneida Lake. Of these Indians Parkman says that at the commencement of the seventeenth century " in the region now forming the State of New York, a power was rising to a ferocious vitality, which, but for the presence of Europeans, would probably have subjected, absorbed or exterminated every other Indian community east of the Mississippi and north of the Ohio." " The Iroquois was the Indian of Indians. A thorough savage, yet a finished and developed savage„ he is, per- haps, an example of the highest elevation which man can reach without emerging from his primitive condition of the hunter. A geographical position commanding on the one hand the portal of the great lakes, and on the other the sources of the streams flowing both to the Atlantic and the Mississippi, gave the ambitious and ag- gressive confederates advantages which they perfectly understood, and by which they profited to the utmost. Patient and politic as they were ferocious, they were not only the conquerors of their own race, but the powerful allies and the dreaded foes of the French and English colonies, flattered and caressed by both, yet too sagacious to give themselves without reserve to either. Their or- ganization and their history evince their intrinsic superi- ority. Even their traditionary lore, amid its wild pueril- ities, shows at times the stamp of an energy and force in striking contrast with the flimsy creations of Algonquin fancy. That the Iroquois, left under their own institu- tions, would ever have developed a civilization of their own, I do not believe." These institutions were not only characteristic and curious, but almost unique. Without sharing the almost fanatical admiration for them of Morgan, or echoing 8 OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. the p-ilses which Parkman lavisnes on tnem, it may be truly ^id that their wonderful and cohesive confederation furnished a model worthy to be copied by many civilized nations, while, so long as they were uncontaminated by the vices of civilization, they possessed, with all their savagery, many noble traits of character, which would adorn any people in their public, social, or domestic relations. They made themselves the dreaded masters of all their neighbors east of the Mississippi, and carried their victorious arms far to the north, the south, and the east. Their dominance is thus eloquently pictured in Street's " Frontenac ": " , " The fierce Adirondacs had fled from their wrath, The Hurons been swept from their merciless path; Around, the Ottawas, like leaves, had been strewn. And the lake of the Eries struck silent and lone. The Lcnapc, lords once of valley and hill, Made women, bent low at their conquerors' will. By the far Mississippi the Illini shrank When the trail of the Tortoise was seen on the bank; On the hills of New England the Pequod turned pale When the howl of the Wolf swelled at night on the gale; And the Cherokee shook in his green, smiling bowers When the foot of the Bear stamped his carpet of flowers." It will hereafter be seen that the Iroquois acted an im- portant part in the early history of the State. Space will not permit a description of their league, or confederation, a sketch of their tribal relations, and their religious, social and domestic customs, or a history of their warlike achievements. Only an allusion may here be made to the many dim and shadowy records of a pre-existing people of whom not even a faint tradition remains. These records con- sist of stone, terra cotta, or bone weapons, implements or ornaments, that are occasionally discovered, and of the remains of defensive works found here and there through the State. Many similar works have been leveled by the plough, and those that remain are slowly crumbling and passing to oblivion. Some of them, though they would not be regarded as models of military engineering at the present day, give evidence of an adaptation to the circumstances that probably existed when they were built, and of skill in construction, which are not discreditable to their builders. CHAPTER IT. NEW YORK UNDER THE DUTCH — ENGLISH GOVERNORS TO 1765. 5N 161 o another vessel was sent from Holland to trade with the natives and in 161 2 two more, soon after followed by others; and a small fort and a few rude buildings were erected at the southern extremity of Man- hattan Island, and the place was named New Amsterdam. In 1614 the States General of Hol- land granted a charter to the merchants engaged in these expeditions, giving exclusive privileges of trade for four years. The Hudson River had been ascended by Hen- drick Christiansen, and a fort and trading house erected near the present site of Albany, which was named Fort Orange. In 1621 the Dutch West India Company was chartered, and in 1623 settlers were sent thither. In 1626 Peter Minuit, as director-general or governor of the province, arrived with other settlers, and purchased the island of Manhattan from the Indians for trinkets of the value of about $24. In 1629 the company offered grants to patroons who should found settlements in the province 'which had been named New Netherlands) of fifty or more adults, and several availed themselves of this offer. In 1633 Minuit was recalled and Wouter Van Twiller ap- pointed in his place. During his administration the con- troversy concerning jurisdiction was commenced between the Dutch and the English, who claimed the country on the ground of prior discovery by Cabot and the grant of James I. covering the territory. In 1638 Van Twiller was succeeded in the government of the colony by William Kieft. By reason of hostilities which occurred with the Indians on Long Island in 1643-44, for which Kieft was censured, he was recalled, and succeeded by Peter Stuyvesant in 1647. The con- troversy concerning jurisdiction continued during his administration, till, in 1664, Charles II. of England, re- gardless of the claims of the Dutch to New Netherlands, granted to his brother, the Duke of York and Albany, afterwards James II., the whole country from the Con- necticut to the Delaware, including the entire Dutch pos- sessions. A fleet was sent under Colonel Richard Nicolls by the duke to enforce his claim, and on the 3d of Sep- tember, 1664, the province was surrendered without bloodshed, and the government of the colony passed into the hands of the English. Colonel Nicolls at once assumed the functions of gov- ernor; the name New Amsterdam was changed to New York, and Fort Orange to Albany, laws for the govern- ment of the province were prescribed, and courts for the administration of these laws established. In 1668 Gov- ernor Nicolls resigned, and was succeeded by Colonel Francis Lovelace. England at about this time became involved in a war with Holland, and this government sent a squadron to repossess its province in America. This squadron arrived July 30th, 1673, and the fort at New York was surrendered without resistance by Captain John Manning, who was in command. Captain Anthony Colve became governor; but his reign was short, for on the conclusion of peace between the two powers, Febru- ary 9th, 1674, the province reverted to the English. A new patent was issued, confirming the first, and Sir Ed- mund Andros was commissioned governor. The despotic agent of a despotic ruler he was unpopular with the peo- ple, and became involved in difficulties with the neigh- boring colonies. He was recalled and his successor, Thomas Dongan, arrived on the 22nd of August, 1683. In the autumn of the same year the first colonial assem- bly was convened, many needed reforms were instituted, NEW YORK UNDER ENGLISH and better times than the colonists had ever known ap- peared to have dawned. The most important act of this Assembly was the adoption of a charter of liberties and privileges, or bill of rights. The hopes thus raised were soon disappointed. On the accession of James II. to the English throne he refused his confirmation of the priv- ileges which had been granted while he was Duke of York, prohibited the Assembly, forbade the establishment of a printing press in the colony, and filled the principal offices in the province with Roman Catholics. In 1687 a war broke out between the Iroquois and the French. The country of the former was invaded by the French, under De la Barre and M. de Nonville success- ively, and in retaliation the Iroquois, twelve hundred strong, fell upon the French on the south side of the island of Montreal, " burnt their houses, sacked their plantations, and put to the sword all the men, women and children without the skirts of the town. A thousand French were slain in this invasion, and twenty-six were carried into captivity and burnt alive." Shortly after- ward, in another attack, the lower part of the town was destroyed, and in all this the assailants lost only three. In 1688 New York and the Jerseys were annexed to the jurisdiction of New England, and Sir Edmund An- dros was made governor of all. Governor Dongan was removed, and Francis Nicolson succeeded him. The government was vested in a governor and council, who were appointed by the king without the consent of the people. In 1689 William and Mary ascended the English throne. Sir Edmund Andros was seized at Boston, and Jacob Leisler seized the fort at New York, under the pretence of holding it for the new sovereigns. During the two years of Leisler's usurpation the French and In- dians made a descent on Schenectady, February 8th, 1690, and massacred about sixty of the inhabitants. The danger by which they were threatened induced the people, — who, though favorably disposed toward William and Mary, were opposed to Leisler — to submit to his authority for the time. On the arrival, in March, 1691, of Colonel Sloughter, who had been commissioned governor in 1869, Leisler at first refused to surrender the government to him. For this he was tried by a special commission, and sentenced to death. The governor, who refused to sign his death warrant, was persuaded, while intoxicated, to do so, and he was executed before the governor had re- covered from his intoxication Governor Sloughter died in July, 1691, after a weak administration of only a few months. The colonial Assembly was again established during this year, and the oppressive laws which had been im- posed on the colony repealed. In the interim between the death of Sloughter and the arrival of his successor the chief command was committed to Richard Ingoldsby. In August, 1692, Benjamin Fletcher arrived with a com- mission as governor. He was narrow, violent, avaricious and bigoted, and his administration was a continual ex- hibition of these qualities. In 1693 the French and Indians under Count Frontenac GOVERNORS. 9 invaded the country of the Iroquois, killed sc^ae, and took three hundred prisoners. In 1696 he made*aiother incursion, and ravaged a portion of the coun ry. The Indians retaliated by hostile incursions among their enemies, but the peace of Ryswick, between France and England, terminated these hostilities. Governor Fletcher was succeeded in 1698 by Richard, Earl of Bellomont, who died in 1701, and John Nanfan, the lieutenant-governor, succeeded him till the arrival of the next governor, Lord Cornbury, in 1702. The admin- istration of this governor was chiefly distinguished for religious intolerance; and he received the unenviable distinction of being the worst governor under the English regime. He was succeeded, December 1 8th, 1708, by Lord Lovelace, who died on the 5th of f,he following May. Under Lieutenant-Governor Ingoldsby, who ad- ministered the government after his death, an unsuccess- ful expedition against Canada was undertaken. Gerardus Beekman succeeded him as governor pro tern., till June 14th, 1710, when the next governor, Robert Hunter, arrived. In 1711 another disastrous expedition against Canada was made, but in 17 13 the treaty of Utrecht ter- minated the war between England and France, and put an end to Indian hostilities. In 1719 Hunter returned to England, and Peter Schuyler was governor, ad interim, till the arrival of William Burnet in 1720. On the acces- sion to the throne of George II. Burnet was transferred to the government of Massachusetts, and succeeded, April 15th, 1728, by John Montgomery, who died July 1st, 1 73 1. Rip Van Dam, by virtue of seniority in the council, was his successor till the arrival of William Cosby, the next governor, finished his administration and began one rendered memorable for its arbitrary proceed- ings and tumult, rather than for striking or important events. Cosby died March 10th, 1 736, and was succeeded by George Clark, senior counselor after Van Dam, whom Cosby had caused to be suspended. Clark was com- missioned lieutenant-governor in the following October. An antagonism had been growing during some time be- tween the democratic and the aristocratic parties in the colonies. Clark at first sought to conciliate both, but in the end had the confidence of neither, and his retirement, on the arrival of his successor, Admiral George Clinton, September 23d, 1743, was but little regretted. The ad- ministration of Governor Clinton was characterized by a continual conflict with the people, represented in the provincial Assembly. Unable by repeated prorogations and dissolutions to coerce them into submission, he re- signed after an administration of ten years, and was suc- ceeded, October 10th, 1763, by Sir Danvers Osborne. He was charged with still more stringent instructions than his predecessors, and met with still firmer resistance from the people. After an administration of a few davs he committed suicide by hanging, probably because of the embarrassment by which he was surrounded, and grief for the death of his wife. He was succeeded by Lieutenant-Governor James De Lancey till the arrival, in September, 1755, °^ Charles Hardy, who, though nom- inally governor, surrendered the duties of the office into TO OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. the hands of De Lancey. Governor Hardy resigned in 1757 and De Lancey became governor. He died on the 30th of July, 1760. and Cadwalader Golden, president of the council, took charge of the government. He was commissioned lieutenant-governor in August, 1761, and in October of the same year General Robert Moulton, who had been appointed governor, assumed the guber- natorial functions; but on the 13th of the following monih he left the administration of affairs in the hands of Colden, and went on an expedition against Martinique. Colden's administration continued tiil 1765. CHAPTER III. WAR WITH FRANCE AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE KEVOLU ITON. •IDE 9 S early as 1722 a trading post was established at Oswego by Governor Burnet, with the view of establishing others farther west on the ^) lakes, and securing the trade of the western Indians. To intercept this, and secure this trade for themselves, the French established a post and erected a fort at Niagara, with the design of extending a chain of military posts to the Ohio River, and thus limiting the English trade. In March, 1744, war was declared between France and England, in which the colonies of New York and New England participated. During its continuance the coun- try north from Albany was frequently ravaged by parties of French and Indians. Saratoga was burned, and nearly all the inhabitants either killed or made prisoners, and the village of Hoosic taken. In 1746 an unsuccessful expedition against Canada was undertaken, for which the colony of New York furnished sixteen hundred men. Peace was concluded at Aix La Chapelle in 1748, and a period of nominal tranquillity followed, though the frontier was desolated by savage parties, encouragcQ by the French. In 1755, with the view of checking their encroach- ments, four expeditions were sent against them, two of which were in the colony of New York. One of them, that against Niagara, was unsuccessful, but the other, against Crown Point, achieved a success, which was not however followed up. It was not till 1756 that the English ministry aroused from its imbecility and formally declared war. In the campaign of 1756 the English and colonial forces met with no success, but the two forts at Oswego were lost, with 1,600 prisoners and much war material. The cam- paign of 1757 was equally unsuccessful and disastrous. Fort William Henry, on Lake George, with 3,000 men, fell into the hands of the French under Montcalm. On the accession of William Pitt to the head of the British ministry in 1758 new energy was infused into their measures, and a fresh impulse given to the colonies. Success soon turned in favor of the English, and, with few exceptions, continued till Canada was subdued. Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Niagara and Quebec fell in 1758, and Montreal, Detroit, Michilimackinac and all other Canadian uosts in 1760. A great obstacle to the prosperity of New York was removed by the conquest of Canada, which prevented further hostile incursions of French and Indians into its territory. In 1763 a controversy arose between the colonies of New York and New Hampshire concerning the jurisdic- tion over the territory between Lake Champlain and the Connecticut river, now comprising the State of Vermont. Proclamations and counter proclamations were issued, but the matter was finally referred to and settled for the time by the crown. During many years the government of Great Britain had attempted to make encroachments on what the col- onists regarded as their rights, but without success. The taxation of the people without their consent was sought to be accomplished in some insidious manner, and was steadfastly and watchfully guarded against by the col- onists, through their representatives in the colonial As- sembly. In 1764 the notorious stamp act was passed and its enforcement in the city of New York attempted. It was resisted by the populace, the effigy of Governor Colden, who was charged with its execution, was hanged and burned in the streets, and finally a quantity of the stamped paper was seized and consumed in a bonfire. Through the influence of London merchants, whose colonial trade suffered by reason of the act, the odious law was repealed in 1766, but its repeal was followed by a declaration by Parliament of the right " to tax the col- onies in all. cases' whatsoever." Troops were quartered in New York city, really for the purpose of enforcing the laws that Parliament might enact. Collisions occurred between these troops and the people, and the Assembly refused appropriations for their support. Parliament declared the legislative powers of the Assembly annulled till compliance was had with the demands of the govern- ment. In June, 1767, a bill was enacted by Parliament imposing duties on certain articles imported into the col- onies. This was followed by a revival of the non- importation agreement that had previously been entered into by the colonists, and again the influence of the English merchants procured the repeal of all these duties, except that on tea, which was retained by reason of a de- termination to assert and maintain the right of taxation. Sir Henry Moore succeeded Governor Colden in 1765, and his administration continued till his death, in 1769, when the government again devolved on Cadwallader Colden. Between the soldiers and those colonists who were known as the Sons of Liberty animosities continued to exist, and finally, on the 18th of January, 1770, five years previous to the battle of Lexington, a collision oc- curred at Golden Hill, in New York city, in which several of the citizens were wounded. In October, 1770, Lord Dunmore superseded Colden in the government of New York, and in 1771 he was REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS IN NEW YORK. transferred to the government of Virginia and succeeded in New York by William Tryon, who was rendered in- dependent of the people by a royal decree that his salary should be paid from the revenue. The non-importation agreement was continued so far as related to tea, and the East India Company suf- fered severely in consequence. Doggedly determined to maintain the assumed right of taxation, the British gov- ernment abolished the export duty on such tea as was shipped to the colonies, thus enabling the company to sell it there cheaper than in England, and appointed consignees in the colonial ports for its sale. Regardless of this appeal to their cupidity, the people made such demonstrations of resistance that the consignees in New York resigned, and when an attempt was made to land a quantity of tea clandestinely it was thrown overboard by the vigilance committee, and the vessel sent out of the harbor. It is hardly necessary to say that in the other colonies the oppressive acts of the King and Parliament met with as firm resistance as in New York. The battle of Lex- ington was the signal for a general rush to arms through- out the colonies. In New York city the arms in the arsenals were seized and distributed among the people, and a provisional gov- ernment for the city was organized. Ticonderoga was seized on the ioth of May, 1775, by Connecticut patriots under Colonel Ethan Allen, and two days later Crown Point, both without resistance, and thus the command of Lake Champlain was secured. The Continental Congress assembled on the ioth of May, and on the 22nd of the same month a Provincial Congress assembled in New York. In August an attack was made by the British ship of war " Asia" on a party who were engaged in removing some cannon from the battery in New York, and considerable damage was done to the buildings in the vicinity but the guns were removed. In the autumn an armament was collected by General Schuyler at Ticonderoga and an ex- pedition went against Canada. The forts at Chambly, St. Johns and Montreal were taken, and Quebec was as- saulted, but the colonial force was here repulsed and driven out of Canada. CHAPTER IV. REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS IN NEW YORK — THE STATE GOV- ERNMENT ESTABLISHED. ARLY in 1776 General Lee, with a force of ^J^, twelve hundred men, occupied the city of £ic^ New York. General Schuyler with a small ng£> force had disarmed the tories of the Mohawk valley and a like service had been rendered on jggf Long Island by the New Jersey militia. About the first of July General Howe who had previously evacuated Boston and sailed for Halifax, appeared off Sandy Hook with his army, where he was soon afterward joined by his brother, Admiral Howe, with a force of British regulars and Hessians, and Clinton and Parker, on their return from an unsuccessful attack on Charles- ton, making an aggregate force of about 30,000 men. The Provincial Congress of New York adjourned to White Plains, where it convened on the 9th of July, and ratified the Declaration of Independence by the Conti- nental Congress. On the 22nd of August a British force landed on Long Island, and on the 27th a battle was fought, resulting in the defeat of the Americans, who on the night of the 29th, favored by a thick fog, retreated to New York. The plan had been formed to capture New York, ascend the Hudson, effect a junction with a force from Canada under General Carlton, and thus cut off communication between the patriots of New England and those of the middle and southern colonies; but the movements of Washington and the failure of Carlton frustrated the plan. On the 15th of September General Howe took posses- sion of New York, and the Americans retreated to Har- lem Heights. General Howe sought to gain their rear, but Washington's movements frustrated his designs. Opposed to General Carlton at the north was General Gates, who abandoned Crown Point and concentrated his forces at Ticonderoga. A small squadron was formed and placed on Lake Champlain under command of Arnold in August. An action took place in October between this squadron and the fleet which Carlton had prepared at St. Johns, in which the Americans were de- feated and fell back on Ticonderoga. Not deeming it prudent to attack them there General Carlton withdrew to Canada. On the 21st of April 1777 a State constitution was adopted, and under it George Clinton was elected gov- ernor, and he assumed the duties of the office on the 31st of the following July. The principal object of the British in the campaign of 1777 was to carry out the cherished design of separating the eastern from the southern colonies by controlling the Hudson River and Lake Champlain. Lieutenant-General Burgoyne, who had superseded General Carlton, was to force his way from Canada, and meet Sir Henry Clinton at Albany, while Colonel St. Leger was to ascend the St. Lawrence, and, with a force of loyalists and Indians, sweep through the Mohawk valley from Oswego and Rome, and join them at Albany. In June Burgoyne moved on Ticonderoga, which the American commander, General St. Clair, evacuated. As the American army retreated some fighting took place, without decisive results, till at Bennington the Amer- icans, under General Stark, achieved a victory over a detachment of the enemy under Colonel Baum, who was slain. Colonel St. Leger advanced and invested Fort Schuy- ler, otherwise called Fort Stanwix, now Rome. The battle of Oriskany was fought, soon after which St. Leger abandoned his undertaking and returned to Canada. 12 OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. General Burgoyne advanced to Saratoga, where lie was surrounded, and on the 17th of October was compelled to surrender. While operations were in progress in the vicinity of Saratoga Sir Henry Clinton sought to make a diversion in fayor of Burgoyne. He proceeded up the Hudson, captured Forts Montgomery and Clinton, devastated the settlements along the banks of the river, burnt Kingston and, on learning of the surrender of Burgoyne, returned to New York. In the campaigns of 1778 and 1779 no very important operations were carried on in New York. The Indians of the Six Nations (except the Oneidas and a few others) were induced to carry on against the Americans their savage and cruel warfare, and devastation, slaughter and massacres were the result. To arrest these depredations General Sullivan, in the summer of 1779, with an army of 3,000 men, ascended the Susquehanna to Tioga Point, where he was joined by General Clinton with a thousand men. With these forces they penetrated the country of the savages, destroyed their towns, and laid waste their cornfields and orchards. Though not subdued by this punishment, they were so crippled that their inroads were less frequent and destructive afterward. During the years 1780 and 1781 the Mohawk valley was the scene of devastation by the savages of the Six Nations, particularly the Mohawks, under their celebrated chief Brant; but aside from these New York was not the scene of important hostile operations. The year 1780 was made memorable by the treason of Arnold. This gallant officer had, for some irregularities in Philadelphia in 1778, been court-martialed and sentenced to be repri- manded by the commander-in-chief. He apparently ac- quiesced in the sentence, but his pride was deeply wounded, and he thirsted after revenge. He solicited and obtained command of West Point, and entered into negotiations with Sir Henry Clinton for the delivery of that fortress into the hands of the British. In the course of these negotiations Major Andre, of the British army, met General Arnold on the banks of the Hudson. In attempting to return he was captured, about thirty miles from New York, by three militiamen named Paulding, Williams and Van Wert, who refused his offered bribes and delivered him to their commander. He was tried, condemned and executed as a spy. The Revolutionary war virtually closed with the sur- render of Cornwallis and his army at Yorktown on the 19th of October, 1781. A treaty of peace was entered into on the 3d of September, 1783, and on the 25th of November in the same year the Btitish troops evacuated on New York. After the United States had achieved their independ- ence it was early perceived that the confederation, which had been established for a particular purpose, lacked that cohesive force which was requisite for an effectual national government. Measures were accordingly insti- tuted, first for a revision of the Articles of Confederation, but finally the formation of a national constitution was deteimined on; and such constitution was formed by the convention in Philadelphia in 1787. After its adoption by the requisite number of States it was ratified in con- vention by the State of New York, by a close vote, on the 26th of July, 1788, but with the recommendation of several amendments, which, however, were not adopted. The difficulties arising out of the conflicting claims of New York and New Hampshire to the territory now com- prising Vermont, which had been held in partial abey- ance during the Revolutionary struggle, were finally set- tled by the admission of the disputed territory into the Union as a State, in 1790, under the name of Vermont. By reason of indefiniteness and confusion in the original grants Massachusetts claimed a portion of the territory of New York. This claim was settled by the cession to Massachusetts of all rights, except that of political sov- ereignty, over about one-fourth of the State. The largest tract of these lands, embracing what has been known as the Genesee country, was sold by Massachusetts for the sum of one million dollars. CHAPTER V. THE WAR OF l8l2 BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND • JREAT BRITAIN. T the commencement of the present century difficulties arose between this country and Great Britain concerning the rights of neutrals on the seas, and the aggressions of the British became a subject of bitter animosity. In ad- dition to other encroachments, the English gov- ernment claimed the right to search American ves- sels and impress into their service such of their crews as they chose to regard as British subjects. Outrages were committed in the enforcement of this pretended right, and for the suppression of the practice, and the vindication of the national honor, war became necessary; and it was declared on the 19th of June, 1812. To this measure there was a strong opposition, both in New England and New York, and this opposition embarrassed the govern- ment to some extent in the prosecution of the war. An nvasion of Canada was determined on, and for that pur- pose forces were collected in the vicinity of Plattsburg, on Lake Champlain, under General Dearborn, and at Lewiston, on the Niagara River, under General Van Rensselaer. A naval force was fitted up on the lakes, and Commodore Chauncey was placed in command of it. Unsuccessful attacks were made by the British fleet on Sackett's Harbor and Ogdensburg, while, on the other hand, the British vessel " Caledonia " was captured at the foot of Lake Erie An attack was made on the heights at Queenston, on the Canadian bank of the Niagara, and though at first the Americans were success- ful they were finally compelled to surrender. Nothing beyond slight skirmishing occurred in this quarter during the remainder of the year. THE WAR OF 1812 — THE REBELLION. L1 Early in the spring of 1813 a successful expedition to Canada was made from Ogdensburg, and in retaliation an attack was made on that place, some stores taken, sev- eral vessels destroyed and the property of citizens injured. In April a successful expedition was sent by General Dearborn against York, now Toronto. In May the Brit- ish were driven from Fort George, on the Niagara River, near Lake Ontario, and the enemy's post on that frontier evacuated. Sackett's Harbor was attacked by the British, who were repulsed, and an unsuccessful attack was also made by them on the village of Black Rock. The brilliant victory of Commodore Perry, on Lake Erie, was achieved on the 10th of September in this year, but the operations on Lake Ontario were less decisive. Late in the autumn an unsuccessful attempt was made to invade Canada under General Wilkinson. The Ameri- can generals Izard and Hampton were repulsed near the border of Franklin county. In December the British took Fort Niagara, and massacred a large part of the gar- rison and even hospital patients. Lewiston was burned, and the villages of Youngstown, Manchester, Schlosser and the Indian village of Tuscarora were devastated by the enemy. The village of Black Rock and Buffalo were also burned, and thus the desolation of the Niagara fron- tier was completed. Early in 1814 an attempt was made by the British to capture some military stores at Oswego Falls, but without succ:ss. On the 3d of July, 1814, Fort Erie was taken by the Americans, and on the 25th a battle was fought at Lundy's Lane. In August Fort Erie was besieged by the British, who were cornoelled to retire about the mid- dle of September. The plan of a dismemberment of the Union, by pos- sessing Lake Champlain and the Hudson River from the north, and capturing New York, was again formed, and it was hoped that discontent and opposition to the war in New England, and possibly in New York, might lead to the conclusion of a separate peace with these States. The people, however, were fully aroused, and the de- fenses of New York were strengthened and strongly gar- risoned. An invasion was undertaken from Canada, and a descent was made on Plattsburg by an army of 14,000 men under Sir George Prevost, but after a severe engage- ment on the nth of September this army was compelled to retire with great loss. The British fleet, under Com- modore Downie, was on the same day captured on Lake Champlain by Commodore Macdonough. No further invasion of this frontier took place. On the 24th of De- cember a treaty of peace was concluded at Ghent. No other interruption of the peaceful relations between this country and England has occurred. Some infrac- tions of the neutrality laws have been attempted by peo- ple on the Canadian frontier, the chief of which took place during the Canadian rebellion, commonly known as the " Patriot war," in 1837-38. What were known as the anti-rent disturbances com- menced as early as 1839, and were not terminated till 1846. Laws were enacted to modify the process of col- lecting rents and to extend the time lor "re-entry " on lands where rents were in arrears. Participators in out- rages were pardoned, and quiet was finally restored. The annexation of Texas to the United States led to hostilities between Mexico and this nation, and on the nth of May, 1846, Congress declared that, by the acts of the Mexicans, war existed between the two nations. The Americans were victorious in all important engage- ments with the Mexican army, and the part taken by the troops from the State of New York was conspicuous and highly creditable to their valor. From time to time the Legislature enacted laws con- cerning slavery, down to the year 1819. A law passed in 1799 provided for the gradual extinction of slavery in the State. "In 1817 a further act was passed, decreeing that there should be no slavery in the State after the 4th of July, 1827. Ten thousand slaves were set free by this act.' The recognition of slavery in the territories of the United States was earnestly resisted during many years, and the controversy finally resulted in a gigantic civil war. On the election of Abraham Lincoln to the pres- idency, in i860, on the platform of avowed hostility to the extension of slavery, and the failure to effect a com- promise by which the institution should be recognized or tolerated in any of the territories, the southern States de- termined to secede from the Union and establish a sep- arate government. The attack by the Confederates, as these States styled themselves, on Fort Sumter was the first overt act of the Rebellion, and on its occurrence, in April, 1861, was the commencement of active hostilities. Before the close of that year the State of New York had placed in the field one hundred and fifteen regiments. In July, 1863, during the execution of a draft ordered by Congress, an alarming riot occurred in the city of New York. The police were unable to check its progress, and during several days the city was convulsed with law- lessness, rapine and murder. The outbreak was finally quelled by military force, but not until a large amount of property had been destroyed and many lives sacrificed. The war was prolonged till the spring of 1865, when it terminated with the complete success of the Union arms, and peace has since prevailed. CHAPTER VI. INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND- MENTS SCHOOLS STATISTICS. 'J?5N 1 791 the Legislature ordered an exploration and survey to ascertain the most eligible method of removing obstructions from the Mohawk and Hudson rivers, with a view to improve their navigation by the construction of canals. The following year two companies ** were incorporated, styled the Northern and West- ern Inland Lock Navigation Companies, for the purpose >4 OUTLINE HI-STORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. of facilitating navigation by connecting Lake Ontario with the Mohawk and Lake Champlain with the Hudson by canals. In 1810 a provision was made by the Legislature " for exploring the route of an inland navigation from Hudson's River to Lake Ontario and Lake Erie." It was at first .proposed to solicit aid from the general government to carry out this work, but in 181 2 a commission reported to the Legislature that sound policy demanded that this should be done by the State. War with Great Britain interrupted the project. On the termination of the war the policy was revived; and notwithstanding the formidable character of the un- dertaking, and the difficulties in its wav, through the untiring energy and perseverance of De Witt. Clinton an act prepared by him was passed in April, 1817, author- izing the construction of the work. It was commenced on the 4th of July in that year, and on the 26th of Oc- tober, 1825, the first flotilla of boats left Buffalo for New York. The departure of this flotilla was communicated to New York in one hour and twenty minutes, by the dis- charge of cannon stationed within hearing of each other. This was then regarded as a rapid transmission of intelli- gence. The first railroad in the State, that between Albany and Schenectady, was chartered in 1826 and completed in 1831. Other roads through the central portion of the State were soon constructed, and railroad connection be- tween the great lakes and Hudson River established. In 185 1 these different roads were consolidated into the present immense New York Central Railroad, and subse- quently connection was established, through the Hudson River Railroad, with the city of New York. In 1833 the New York and Erie Railway was commenced, but it was not completed till 1852. The enlargement of the Erie Canal to its present capacity was commenced in 1835 and completed in 1862. These constitute the main avenues of travel and transportation through the State between the eastern and western extremities, but connecting routes in every direction have come into existence, and the fa- cilities for transportation and travel in this State are not excelled by those of any other. It is hardly necessary to call attention to the telegraph lines that ramify through all parts of the State. It has already been stated that a State constitution was adopted in 1777. Several amendments to this constitu- sion were adopted in a convention held for that purpose in 1801. In 182 1 it was revised by a convention chosen for that purpose, and the new constitution was adopted early in 1822, at a popular election held for that purpose, by a majority of more than 33,000 in a total vote of 1 16,919. On the 1st of June, T846, another constitutional con- vention met at Albany, and it continued in session more than four months. The amendments to the constitution adopted by that body were ratified by the people in the following November by a majority of more than 20,000 votes. In 1867 another constitutional convention assembled, on the 4th of June, and continued its session, except during an adjournment of two months, several weeks into 1868. The amended constitution framed by this con- vention was submitted to the people in November, 1869, and resulted in its rejection, except the article making changes in the judiciary, by a majority of more than 66,000. The judiciary article was accepted by a small majority. In 1872 a commission of thirty-two persons was ap- pointed to propose to the Legislature amendments to the constitution. In 1873 several important amendments were recommended, and ratified at the election in 1874. It is a notable fact that, as changes have been made in the constitution of the State, the right of the elective franchise has been extended; till now complete manhood suffrage is established. In 1787 a law was enacted incorporating the Regents of the University of New York, and in their report for 1793 they called attention to the importance of instituting a common school system. At different times from 1787 to 1795 Governor Clinton called the attention of the Legislature to the same subject, and in that year an act was passed appropriating $50,000 annually for five years for the encouragement of schools. In 1805, after atten- tion had repeatedly been called to the subject by the dif- ferent governors, the Legislature passed an act laying the foundation of the present common school fund. In 181 2 the first common school system was adopted, comprising substantially the features of the system as it existed up to 1840. Changes in this system have from time to time been made, till now the free school system of this State is believed to be, with scarcely an exception, the most nearly perfect of all in existence. The State Agricultural Society, which has been pro- ductive of such great benefit, was organized at a conven- tion in Albany in 1832. It was reorganized in 1841, and measures were adopted for raising funds and holding annual fairs. In 1836 the Legislature ordered a scientific survey of the State for the purpose of developing a knowledge of its geology, mineralogy and natural history. The pub- lished reports of this survey are of very great value. The following list of the governors, lieutenant-govern- ors and presidents of the council who have administered the government of the colony and State of Xew York from 1629 to the present time will be found convenient for reference. Under the Dutch regime: Wouter Van Twiller, 1629; William Kieft, 1638; Peter Stuyvesant, 1647. English governors, etc.: Richard Nicolls, 1664; Francis Lovelace, 1667; Anthony Colve, on the recapture of the province by the Dutch, 1673. After the surrender to the English: Sir Edmund Andros, 1674; Anthony Brockholls, 1681; Thomas Dongan, 1683; Francis Nicholson, 1688; Jacob Leisler, 1689; Henry Sloughter, 1691; Richard Ingold^by, 1691; Benjamin Fletcher, 1692;. Richard, Earl of Bellomont, 1698; John Nanfan, 1699; Lord Cornbury,i702; Lord Lovelace, 1708; Richard Ingoldsby, 1709; Gerardus Beekman, 1710; Robert Hunter, ijio - GOVERNORS OF NEW YORK— POPULATION. '5 Peter Schuyler, 1719; William Burnet, 1720; John Montgomery, 1728; Rip Van Dam, 1731; William Cosby, 1732; George Clark, 1736; George Clinton, 1743; Dan- vers Osborne, 1753; James De Lancev, 1753; Sir Charles Hardy, 1755; James De Lancey, 1757; Cadwallader Colden, 1760; Robert Monkton, 1762; Cadwallader Colden, 1763; Henry Moore, 1765; John, Earl of Dun- more, 1770: William Tryon, 1 7 7 1 . Governors of the State: George Clinton, 1777; John Jay, 1795; George Clinton, 1801; Morgan Lewis, 1804; Daniel D. Tompkins, 1807; De Witt Clinton, 1817; Joseph C. Yates, 1822; De Witt Clinton, 1824; Martin Van Buren, 1828; Enos T. Throop, 1830; William L. Marcy, 1832; William H. Seward, 1838; William C. Bouck, 1842; Silas Wright, 1844; John Young, 1846; Hamilton Fish, 1848; Washington Hunt, 1850; Horatio Seymour, 1852; Myron H.Clark, 1854; John A.King,i856; Edwin D. Morgan, 1858; Horatio Seymour, 1862; Reuben E. Fenton, 1864; John T. Hoffman, 1868; John A. Dix, 1872; Samuel J.Tilden,i874; Lucius Robinson, 1876; A. B. Cornell, 1880. The population of the colony and State of New York was in 1698,18,067; 1703,20,665; 1723,40,564; 1 73 1 , 50,824; 1737, 60,437; 1746, 61,589; 1749, 73.348; i75 6 » 96,790; 177 1, 163,337; 1790, 340,120; 1800, 586,756; 1810, 959,049; 1820, 1,372,812; 1830, 1,918,608; 1840, 2,428,921; 1850, 3,097,394; i860, 3,880,735; 1870, 4.3 82 -759; 1880, 5,083,173. Of the total population there were in 1790, 21,324 slaves; in 1800, 33,343; 1810, 15,017; 1820, 10,088; 1830, 75; 1840, 4. GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. CHAPTER I. A SKETCH OF THE TOPOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. HE time has long since gone by when a belief in the sudden creation of the earth in its present form was generally prevalent. Once it was considered not only heterodox but almost blasphemous for a man to avow his conviction that he saw on the surface jf the earth indications of changes that occurred at a period previous to about six thousand years since. That con- tinents, or even islands, should rise from the sea, become submerged, and emerge again in the lapse of immense time, was not deemed possible. Within the limits of historic time no record was given of more than slight changes, and men had not learned to read the record which is written in the strata beneath the surface, and which science has made legible on the edges of those strata where they are visible. The man w.ho ventured to assert that Long Island was once submerged, and that its emergence was of comparatively recent date, would have been regarded by some as impious and by others as mad. That period of ignorance has passed, and people have come to recognize the fact that, as far as the records of the past can be deciphered, the earth has been steadily changing, in the midst of its changing environ- ments, and that, as far as science is able to peer into the future, changes will continue to succeed each other. An inspection of the map of Long Island shows that it, as well as the coast south from it, had its birth from the sea, in what, geologically speaking, may be termed modern times, and there are evidences of vertical oscilla- tions of the surface here which may have caused a suc- cession of partial or complete submergences and emerg- ences. The island extends from east to west about one hun- dred and twenty miles, and has an average width of about fifteen miles. Along the northern coast an average elevation of about one hundred feet is found, though there are places where the hills are much higher. On this coast numerous "necks " of land and inlets or es- tuaries of the sound are seen; and the water along this shore is deeper than on the southern coast. Between the heights along the sound shore and the irregular range of hills which extend lengthwise through the island near the middle, for most of its length, and which are termed the backbone, the surface is in many places much broken. Harbor Hill, in North Hempstead, one of the highest points on the island, was found by actual measurement to be three hundred and eighty-four feet in height. The northern coast of the island is indented by eight principal bays, or fiords, which extend inland from three to six miles and have a width of from half a mile to a mile and a half. In some places in these the water has a depth of from thirty to fifty feet, and the average depth is about twenty feet. South from this central range the surface slopes to the coast gradually, and so evenly as to have the appearance of a level plain. Along the south shore are numerous shallow bays and inlets, especially toward the western extremity of the island. Along this shore also is a narrow sand beach,which incloses a bay, or rather a succession of narrow bays, for most of the length of the coast. This beach is crossed at different points by inlets, formerly called " guts'' Dutch ' gat," or gate ., which connect these bays with the ocean, and divide the beach into a succession of long narrow beaches; as narrow necks of land connect these beaches with the mainland and divide the long narrow bay into a succession of bays, some of which do not communicate with the ocean, Outside these long narrow- beaches is a shifting sand bar, and inside the bays are extensive- salt marshes, or meadows. About forty miles of the eastern end of the island is divided by a succession of bays into two peninsulas, each having an average GEOLOGICAL £ width of about five miles and the southern extending some twenty miles further east than the northern, though the last seems to be continued to about the same distance by a succession of islands. When the geological survey of the State was made — nearly forty years since — it was believed that the forma- tion of the island was due to the action of opposite and resultant currents, and probably its foundation on the primary rock which underlies it was thus laid, in a pre- glacial period. The Gulf Stream from the south, as it is believed to have flowed; the Arctic current from the north, and the action of the tides in the Atlantic, all combined to bring hither and deposit the materials of which this foundation consists. It is believed by geologists that the strata of rocks here were formerly from three hundred to one thousand feet lower than they now are. Then the southeastern shore of the United States was farther inland, and the Gulf Stream swept from the south parallel with and nearer to the base of the primary Atlantic chain of moun- tains than at present. Along the course of this stream, from Georgia to Maryland, extended a broad belt of primary rocks. These rocks, which were various in their character, were remarkably prone to disintegration, and the results ot their wearing down were extremely various. These debrita were borne northward beneath the sur- face by the equatorial current, and deposited, as in its course northward this current became less rapid; hence the deposits of various kinds that are found in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. At this period the basin of the St. Lawrence and Hudson valleys was occupied by an inland sea, through which came the Arctic current, bringing its freight of debrita to be deposited when circumstances favored its subsidence. The effect of the oblique meeting of those currents in the region of Long Island, when the force of both was partially spent, was to arrest their northward and southward flow, and to produce a gentle resultant current toward the east, with eddies that were influenced by the form of the sea bot- tom where the currents met, by storms that swept over the surface here, and by other storms at the north or south, which temporarily deflected, retarded or ac- celerated these currents. Thus, it was believed, were the materials of the strata which underlie Long Island brought hither; and thus in the resultant comparatively still water and eddies were they deposited; hence the lignite and the bones of marine and terrestrial animals that are found at great depths when wells are sunk and excavations made. After the process of piling the foundation of the island on the sea bottom had gone on, in the way indicated, during indefinite time, the upheaval took place. Previous to the adoption of the glacial theory it was believed that icebergs floated hither, bringing the boulders, etc., that they had torn from their beds in the north, and dropping them, one by one, as they slowly melted while circulat- ing in the eddies here; and that at a later period they became stranded or ran aground in shallow water, and there melted, leaving their entire cargoes to constitute OF LONG ISLAND. 17 the hills on the island as the surface was further up- heaved. The researches of modern geologists seem to show that subsequent to the period spoken of, but in pre-glacial times, an upheaval occurred which carried the surface here from three hundred to four hundred feet higher than it now is, and that it remained thus elevated during the glacial period. It is believed that during this time of elevation the Hudson River had its mouth eighty miles farther to the southeast than at present, and that its course and the former littoral plain through which it ran, as well as the old coast lines, are traceable by soundings. During the time of elevation the ice period occurred, and it is thought that the terminal moraine of the glacier extended length- wise through the island and far to the east along the New England coast, as well as west across New Jersey; and that the drift material of the island was brought by this agency from the regions to the north and west, where it existed in place. Thus were brought the deposits of clay, sand and gravel which are found especially on the north half of the island, and which often vary so greatly in their character, though separated only by short distances. Thus, too, were brought hither the boulders, some of which are of immense size. Kidd's Rock and Millstone Rock in the town of North Hempstead, Queens county, may be mentioned as examples. The primary rock which underlies the island comes to the surface at Hell Gate and Hallett's Cove, on its north- western extremity, and here the drift deposit lies di- rectly on this rock. Elsewhere it is superposed on older deposits. It is certain that since the glacial period a subsidence of the surface has taken place, and it is not considered impossible that several vertical oscillations have occurred. Mr. Lewis says: "If a depression of two hundred feet should take place all of Long Island that would remain above the water would be a broken range of hills. With an elevation of two hundred feet Long Island Sound would be converted to dry land. The Connecticut and Hudson Rivers would roll along deeper channels, and discharge their waters many miles seaward; while Brook- lyn and New York would be inland cities." It is believ- ed, as before stated, that the vertical oscillations in past time have carried the surface of the land here more than two hundred feet higher as well as lower than its present elevation. At present the surface is subsiding, though at the rate of only a few inches in a century. Evidences of this subsidence are found in abundance where excava- tions or borings are made, and in some instances where the bottom of the sea at some distance from the coast is explored. The stumps of submerged or buried forests are thus found, as well as other products of the former surface. Evidences of a former subsidence, much greater than at present, are found in the occurrence of marine deposits at points in the higher parts of the island. It is believed that every rood of the space from the central range of hills " has been the shore line of first an invad- ing, afterward of a receding ocean, and the scene of those great coast changes which waves produce." These i8 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. changes, which occur from time to time now as the re- sults of storm and ocean currents, it is hardly necessary to detail. As the swell rolls obliquely from the eastward along the coast the beach is modified by the deposit or the washing away of the sand; inlets to the bays are choked up and obliterated, and others break out at other points; sand spits and beaches form, and southerly winds drift the sands on the island, to be again washed away by the waves. Along the northern coast changes have taken place, and they are still going on, by shore erosion and the transportation of the detritus by storms and tidal currents. Portions of the main island have been thus cut off and have become islands, and the material washed away has been deposited, sometimes at considerable distance, to form shoals, beaches, or necks connecting what had thus been made islands with the shore again. Beaches have thus been formed and obliterated, inlets and channels have been excavated and again filled up, islands have been cut off and joined again to the island, or washed away, and changes, many of which are now difficult to trace and doubtless others that cannot now be traced, have in the lapse of time occurred. Some of the more re- cent of these may, however, be easily discerned, and peo- ple whose lives have been spent here have been able to note many that have gradually occurred, or to remember others that were effected by violent storms. The species of animals which were found on Long Isl- and when it was first discovered did not differ from those on the main land. Of course its insular condition prevented the annual or occasional migrations which oc- curred elsewhere by reason of climatic changes or other ] causes, and the complete extinction here of many of those species took place earlier by reason of that condi- tion. With the long stretch of sea coast which the island has, of course it was the habitat of all those species of aquatic birds which are found in this latitude. The isl- and was annually visited too by those migratory land birds that frequent regions in this latitude, and at the present time it is the annual resort of many species that attract hither sportsmen during each season. The mu- seum of the Long Island Historical Society has specimens of many of these species of animals and birds, and in this department it is proposed to make it quite complete. By reason of the prevailing character of the soil, the botany of the island does not embrace as wide a range of species as are sometimes found on equal areas in the same latitude. Of the trees formerly covering large portions of the island the oak, pine and chesnut were the most abund- ant and valuable ; and it is said that the quality of this timber was far superior to that of the same species found elsewhere. Among the most valuable species of timber growing on the island at present the locust occupies a prominent position. It is thought that Captain John Sands, who came to Sands Point about 1695, introduced this tree, from Virginia, about the year 1700. Since that time it has spread extensively here. The quality of this timber grown here is greatly superior to that of the same species in the region whence it was brought. A few gi- gantic specimens of this tree a 'c standing on the lawn at the residences of Mr. Bogart, of Roslyn, and of the late Elwood Valentine, at Glen Cove. Says Lewis : "It is believed that those on Mr. Bogart's ground, several now or recently at Sands Point, and two in the dooryard of the old Thome mansion at Little Neck, now occupied by Eugene Thorpe, Esq., are of the first imported and plant- ed on Long Island". About eighty species of forest trees — indigenous and those that have become acclimat- ed — are growing without cultivation on the island. Speci- mens of many species of these are now in the Historical Society's museum, in which a competent and energetic member of the society proposes to place a complete set of specimens of the flora and fauna of the island. CHAPTER II. THE INDIANS OF I.ONC, ISLAM) — TERRITORY, CHARACTER- ISTICS AND RELATIONS WITH THE WHITES. EFORE the settlement by the Dutch were the dark ages of island history. The wampum or wampum bells give no record of the red men's origin, migrations, wars or loves. Im- mense heaps of the broken shells of the quahog or periwinkle are their only monuments. Every locality where one or more families were located had a name which gave designation to a tribe. The authorities on this subject have recognized thirteen tribes, as follows: The Canarsie tribe claimed the v.hole of Kings county and a part of the town of Jamaica. They includ- ed the Marechawicks at Brooklyn, the Nyacks at New Utrecht, and the Jamecos at Jamaica. Their principal settlement was at the place called Canarsie, which is still a famous place for fishing and fowling, and was doubt- less the residence of the sachem and a great portion of the tribe. In 1643 the name of the sachem was Penha- witz. In 1670 the deed of that part of the city of Brook- lyn constituting Bedford was signed by Peter, Elmohar, Job, Makagiquas, and Shamese, sachems. In 1656 the deed of Newtown was signed by Rowcroesteo and Pom- waukon, sachems supposed to have been of Canarsie. The confirmatory deed of Gravesend in 1650 was signed by Johosutum, Airemakamus, Aeramarka and Assanched, sachems who called the Indian name of the place Massa- barkem. The Rockaway tribe was scattered over the southern part of the town of Hempstead, which with a part of Jamaica and the whole of Newtown constituted their claim. The greater part of the tribe was at Near Rock- away. Part lived at the head of Maspeth Creek, in Newtown, and deeds for land there were executed by the Rockaway sachem. This tribe had also a settlement of several hundred acres on Hog Island, in Rockaway Bay. THE LONG ISLAND INDIANS— THEIR LANGUAGE. 19 The first Rockaway sachem known to the Dutch was Chegonoe. Nowedinah was sachem in 1648, Eskmoppas in 1670, Paman in 1685, and Quaquasho or the Hunter in 1691. The Montauk tribe had jurisdiction over all the re- maining lands to Montauk, probably including Gardiner's Island; and there seems to be evidence that the sachem of this tribe was conceded the title and functions of grand sachem of Paumanake, or Long Island. The Merrick, Meroke, or Merikoke tribe claimed all the territory south of the middle of the island from Near Rockaway to the west line of Oyster Bay, and was in all probability at some former period a part of the Marsa- pequa or Marsapeague tribe. A part of the land in the town of Hempstead was bought from this tribe. They had a large settlement on Hicks's Neck, and occupied the other necks between that and their principal site, where the village of Merrick now stands. Their sachem in 1647 was Wantagh. The Marsapequa or Marsapeague tribe had its prin- cipal settlement at Fort Neck, in South Oyster Bay, and thence extended eastward to the bounds of Islip and north to the middle of the island. Here were two Indian forts, the larger of which was stormed by Captain John Underhill, in the service of the Dutch, in 1653, with great slaughter of the Indians. The remains of the fort have been encroached upon and covered by the waters of the Great South Bay. Tackapousha was sachem of this tribe in 1656; also chief sachem of the western chief- taincies of the island, after the division between the Dutch and the English. The Matinecock tribe claimed jurisdiction of the lands east of Newtown, as far as the west line of Smith- town and probably to the Nissaquag River. This was a numerous tribe, and had large settlements at Flushing, Glen Cove, Cold Spring, Huntington and Cow Harbor A portion of the tribe took part in the war of 1643, under Gunwarrowe; but their sachem at that time remained friendly to the Dutch, and through his diplomacy suc- ceeded in establishing peace. Whiteneymen (one-eyedj was sachem in 1643, and Assiapam in 1653. The Nesaquake or Missaquogue tribe possessed the country from the river named after them to Stony Brook and from the sound to the middle of the island. The extensive shell banks near the village of Nissaquag show- that it was the site of a considerable settlement, and it was probably the residence of the sachem. Coginiquant was sachem in 1656. The Setalcat or Setauket tribe claimed from Stony Brook to the Wading River and was one of the most powerful. Its members inhabited Strong's Neck and the banks of the different creeks, coves and harbors. Warra- waken was sachem in 1655, and Gil in 1675. The Corchaug tribe owned the territory from the Wading River to Oyster Ponds, and was spread along the north shore of Peconic Bay and over the necks ad- joining the sound. It probably claimed Robin's Island also. There is reason to believe that it was a numer- ous and powerful tribe. Momometon was sachem in 1648. The Manhasset tribe peopled Shelter Island and probably Hog Island. This tribe, although confined to about 10,000 acres, could, if tradition is reliable, bring into the field at one time more than 500 warriors. Pog- gattatuck, brother of Wyandanch, was sachem in 1648, and Yokee or Youghco in 1651. His residence was on Sachem's Neck. The Secatogue tribe adjoined the Marsapequas on the west and claimed the country as far east as Patch- ogue. The farm of the Willets at Islip is called Seca- togue Neck, and here is supposed to have been the prin- cipal settlement and probably the residence of the sachem, who in 1683 was Winnequaheagh. The Patchogue tribe extended its jurisdiction east from Patchogue to Westhampton, and as some think to Canoe Place. The main settlements were at Patchogue, Fire Place, Mastic, Moriches and Westhampton. Tobac- us was sachem in 1666. The Shinnecock tribe claimed the territory from Canoe Place to Easthampton, including Sag Harbor and the whole south shore of Peconic Bay. The Indians of Long Island were designated on the Dutch maps Mohegans, and have been so called by his- torians. This is but a sub-title under the general term Algonquins, covering a great race of savages scattered over Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware and other States. The Indians of the island were tall and straight, mus- cular and agile, with straight hair and reddish-brown complexion. Their language was the Algonquin, the highly descriptive tongue in which the apostle Eliot wrote the Indian Bible, and which was used by other missionaries. It was the language that greeted the col- onists at Roanoke, and the Pilgrims at Plymouth. It was spoken through twenty degrees of latitude and sixty degrees of longitude. Strange that a language which a century ago was spoken so widely and freely between the aborigines and the settlers should have so perished that it is doubted whether a man is living who can speak it or read the Indian Bible, so laboriously prepared by the apostolic John Eliot. The Indian names of Long Island are said to be Se- wanhacky, Wamponomon and Paumanake. These names, or at least the first two, seem to have arisen from the abundance of the quahog or hard clam, the shell of which furnished the wampun or sewant, which in the earlier times was the money of the country, as well as the material for the embroidery and the record symbols of the Indian belts. Matouwacs is the name given the island on the earliest Dutch maps. The deed to the settlers at Easthampton styles it Paumanake. Rev. William Hubbard, of Ipswich, in his history of New England, called it Mattamwake. In books and deeds it bears other names, as Meitowax, Metoac, etc. Sewan- h;ftky and Wamponomon both signify the island, or place, of shells. Of Mattanwake Judge Furman says: "In the Narragansett language mattan was a term used to signify anything fine or good, and duke or ake meant land or earth; thus the whole word meant the good or pleasant GENERAL HISTORY land, which was certainly highly characteristic of Long Island, even at that period of its early settlement." The religious notions of the Long Island Indians are described in a communication from the Rev. Samson Occum, published in the collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society. His words are: "They believe in a plurality of gods, and in one great and good being, who controls all the rest. They likewise believe in an evil spirit, and have their conjurors or paw-waws." The ceremony performed by these characters was so odious in the opinion of the whole people that the duke's laws of 1665 enacted that "no Indian shall be permitted to paw-waw or perform worship to the devil in any town within this government." It is evident, however, that they still kept up their devil worship at the visit of the Labadists in 1679-80. They also had divinities in the winds and waters. It is surprising how few tokens are found, in the shape of idols, or carvings of any kind, to signify a reverence for their gods. The only thing which has attracted particular attention is " the foot-print of the evil spirit " — the impression of a foot on a boulder, now iu the possession of the Long Island Historical Society, which had lain upon Montauk Point from the earliest English knowledge, and probably for centuries before, and which was always an object of Indian veneration. The lodges or wigwams of the Long Island Indians were fifteen or twenty feet wide, having a frame of two rows of poles bent together and covered with rushes, except along the ridge, where an opening was left for smoke to escape. This frame of poles was interlaced with the bark of trees, and continued to a length of 180 feet or more, as the families conjointly occupying the wigwam might require. Fires were built along the floor, each family having its own for cooking and for comfort in cold weather. The principal household utensils were earthen pots and gourds for holding water. The original fur and feather clothing of these savages gave place to cloth after the advent of Europeans. At first a blanket about the shoulders and a cloth hanging from a belt about the waist composed their costume, but they afterward imitated the dress of the whites. All were fond of decoration. In early deeds from them there is a peculiar reservation of "the trees in what eagles do build their nests," doubtless in order to secure to them the feathers of the royal bird, which were among theirvalued adornments. Their canoes were of different sizes, from the light shallop to those of sixty feet in length. They were wrought out of logs with stone axes, with the help of fire. Their pottery, of which specimens are found in the shell heaps, is of clay, mixed with water, hollowed out by the hand and baked. Most of the specimens are very inferior. Private collections abound in arrow-heads, stone axes, and the pestles and mortars which served them for mills. The Long Island Historical Society has a collection of Indian relics, in which the only metallic instrument is an ax of native copper unearthed a few years ago at Rockaway, together with a few stone axes and a quantity of spear heads, apparently buried for preservation. OF LONG ISLAND. Long Island was the great source of the supply of wampun or sevvant — the Indian shell money, as well as the beads which they wore as ornaments or fastened to their clothing. Along the shores of the island immense deposits of shells once existed some of which yet remain), from which the blue portion forming the eye was care- fully removed for making blue beads; these were worth three times as much as the white, which were made from the inner pillars of the conch shell or periwinkle. Long Island will always be a monumental point in history as the place to which Hudson and his mariners first came as the key to open a world in commerce and civilization, to which the discoveries of Columbus were but the vestibule. The earliest account of the Indians of the island is that given by Hudson in the narrative of his voyage of 1609. On the 4th of September of that year he came to anchor in Gravesend Bay. He says the Canarsie Indians came on board his vessel without any apprehension and seemed very glad of his coming. They brought with them green tobacco and exchanged it for knives and beads. They were clad in deer skins-, well dressed, and were " very civil." On a subsequent visit some of them were dressed in "mantles of feathers " and some in " skins of diver sorts of good furs." Hudson states that " they had yellow copper and red copper tobacco pipes, and ornaments of copper about their necks;" also that they had currants and "great store of maize or Indian corn, whereof they made good bread." They also brought him hemp. Some of his men landed where is now the town of Gravesend and met many men, women and children, who gave them tobacco They described the country to Hudson as " full of great tall oaks, and the lands as pleasant with grass and flowers and goodly trees as they had ever seen." Doubtless the natives presented their very best festal appearance to the great captain of the "big canoe;" though when, seventy years after (in 1679-80). when they were visited by the Labadist agents, Dankers and Sluyter, after contact with the early settlers, they had sadly de- generated, and the best collection that has been made of their utensils and adornments fails to show any of the yellow copper ornaments. The Dutch and English found the river Indians and the Long Island tribes greatly reduced by their conflicts with the more warlike Iroquois or Five Nations, who had laid them under tribute. The powerful Pequots of Con- necticut did the same before their own extermination. After the coming of the Dutch, under a promise of pro- tection by them, the Canarsies neglected to pay their tribute to the Mohawks, representing the Five Nations ) and in 1655 the latter made a descent on Staten Island, where they killed 67 of the natives, and going thence to Gravesend, Canarsie and other places made a thorough butchery. A bare remnant of the Canarsies escaped to Beeren Island, and Mrs. Abraham Remsen left the state- ment that she made a shroud for the last individual of them. The consistory of the Dutch church at Albany thereafter for many years acted as agent for the Indians down the Hudson in the payment of their tribute to their conquerors. The settlers at the east end of the island found Wy- andanch, the grand sachem, at war with Ninigret, the sachem of the Narragansetts of Rhode Island. There had been retaliatory massacres on both sides. Ninigret struck the finishing blow on the occasion of the marriage of a daughter of Wyandanch to a young chieftain of his tribe, at Fort Pond, on Montauk. Knowing that all pre- caution would be overlooked in the revelry of the festive occasion' Ninigret came down in force upon his unpre- pared enemy; slaughtered half the tribe, including the bridegroom, and bore away the bride as his captive to the mainland. This blow broke the power and the spirit of Wyandanch, who then by a cession of Montauk came under the government and protection of Easthampton. Hereby hangs a romance which can not be done away with by any captious objectors, like those who have sought to resolve the story of Pocahontas into a myth. It is secured by deed. On a square bit of paper, written plainly in the old English character, framed and placed in the noble building of the Long Island Historical Society, is a conveyance to Lion Gardiner, then lord of the Isle of Wight or Gardiner's Island, of the great part of Smithtown, as a consideration for his services in re- gaining from Ninigret the captive daughter of Wyan- danch; the last named signed the deed, as also did his son Wyancombone, and the latter's wife. Thompson ascribes the war between the Montauks and the Narragansetts to the refusal of the Montauk monarch to join in the plot for exterminating the Europeans. Roger Williams traced the war to the pride of the con- tending sachems. The Long Island chief he said was "proud and foolish;" Ninigret, "proud and fierce." Lion Gardiner, in his notes on Easthampton, says that the Block Island Indians, acting as allies of the Narra- gansetts, attacked the Montauks during King Philip's war and punished them severely. The engagement took place on Block Island, whither the Montauks went in their canoes, and the latter on landing fell into an am- buscade. He says: "The Montauk Indians were nearly all killed; a few were protected by the English and brought away; the sachem was taken and carried to Nar- ragansett. He was made to walk on a large flat rock that was heated by building fires on it, and walked several times over it, singing his death song; but his feet being burned to the bones he fell, and they finished the tragical scene as usual for savages." The Long Island Indians joined the neighboring main- land tribes in the hostilities between them and the Dutch, which grew out of the murder of an Indian at New York in 1641. In 1643 some Dutch farmers on the island ventured to seize and carry off two wagon loads of corn belonging to the Indians; the owners attempting to de- fend their property two of them were killed. The Long Island and Hudson River Indians burning to avenge such outrages, more than two thousand of them rose in open war and made the greatest possible de- struction of the property and lives of the settlers. A transient peace was patched up, the Canarsie chief Pen- hawitz being one of an embassy to New Amsterdam for that purpose. In a few months war broke out again, this time, it is said, on account of Governor Kieft's em- bezzling the presents for the natives by which the treaty should have been ratified. The savages, crossing to the island from Westchester county, destroyed the settlement of Mespat, now Newtown; also the first house built in Brooklyn, that of William Adriance Bennett, near Gow- anus. They then fell upon the settlement of Lady Moody at Gravesend, but were beaten off by a company of forty men, who had been recruited and disciplined by Nicholas- Stilwell, and who were concealed in Lady Moody's log house. From the neighboring villages more than a hundred families flocked to New Amsterdam for protection. From these was raised a company of fifty men, who under the famous John Underhill participated in the massacre of over five hundred of the Indians in March 1644, at Strickland's Plain, on Horse Neck, near Greenwich, Conn. As one of the results of this decisive blow several of the Long Island chiefs went to New Am- sterdam and made a treaty of peace. In 1655 Hendrick Van Dyke, the late " schout fiscal " of New Amsterdam, shot and killed a squaw who was stealing peaches from his garden. He was soon killed by the Indians in revenge. At the same time they perper- trated terrible massacres on Staten Island and in New Jersey, and spread terror on Long Island, though doing no damage there. Governor Stuyvesant ordered all persons living in secluded places to gather and "form villages after the fashion of our neighbors of New Eng- land," but little attention was paid to his command. On the division of the island in 1650 between the English and the Dutch, the English taking the eastern and the Dutch the western part, the jurisdiction of Grand Sachem Wyandanch was nominally divided, Tackapousha being elected sachem of the chieftaincies in possession of the Dutch, namely, those of the Marsape- quas, Merricks, Canarsies, Secatogues, Rockaways and Matinecocks. In the winter of 1658 the smallpox de- stroyed more than half the Montauks, while Wyandanch lost his life by poison. The remainder of the tribe, to escape the fatal malady and the danger of invasion in their weakened state, fled in a body to their white neigh- bors, who entertained them for a considerable period. Wyancombone succeeded his father in the sachemship, and, being a minor, divided the government with his mother, who was styled the squaw sachem. Lion Gard- iner and his son David acted as guardians to the young chief by request of his father. At Fort Pond — called by the Indians Konkhongank — are the remains of the burial ground of the chieftaincy, and here once stood the citadel of the monarch Wyandanch. From the numerous array of tribes mentioned on a preceding page it is evident that the island was in the earlier periods of its history thickly settled by the Indians, who found support and delight in its ample resources of hunting, fishing and fowling; but their position exposed them to invasion, and their stores of wampum tempted 22 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. the fierce tribes of the mainland. They were evidently in constant fear of aggression, and at two points — Fort Neck, at Oyster Bay, and Fort l'ond, Montauk — forts were built, capable of sheltering five hundred men. Gov- ernor Winthrop in 1633, referring to Long Island, which had just been reconnoitred by his bark, the "Blessing," says, doubtless upon mere report: " The Indians there are very treacherous, and have many canoes so great as will carry eighty men." But the natives soon dwindled in numbers and power upon contact with the whites. The Dutch at the west- ern end of the island, coveting their corn lands, soon found means to purchase and appropriate them, while at the east end the Narragansetts drove the tribes into the arms of the English. All over the island their lands were bought at a nominal price from the too easy owners. Their inordinate fondness for " fire-water" had a large share in their ruin. Rev. Azariah Horton was a mis- sionary to the Long Island Indians in 1741-44. In- states that in 1741 there were at the east end two small towns of them, and lesser companies settled at a few miles distance from each other through the island. Up to the close of 1743 he had baptized 35 adults and 44 children. He took pains to teach them to read, and some of them made considerable progress; but, notwithstand- ing all this, Mr. Horton in 1744 complained of a great defection by a relapse into their darling vice of drunken- ness, to which Indians are everywhere so greatly addicted that no human power can prtvent it. In 1 761 the Indians had so diminished on Long Island as in some places to haw- entirely disappeared; and the once powerful Montauks could muster but 192 souls. This number was reduced by the withdrawal of many who went to Brotherton with Rev. Samsom Occum. This celebrated Indian preacher went about 1755 to Montauk, where he. preached and taught about ten years. He went to England and raised ^r,ooo for establishing schools among the Indians. Rev. Paul Cuffee was another Indian preacher on the island. He was buried about a mile west of Canoe Place, where the Indian meeting-house then stood, and a neat marble slab has been erected to his memory by the Mis- sionary Society of New York, which employed him. The writer has conversed with persons who gave testimony to his piety and the fervor of his eloquence. The Indian kings at Montauk have for a century and more borne the name or Pharoah or Pharo. This was doubtless conferred upon them by the first misssionaries, who are also responsible for Solomons, Tituses and other Christian and classic names. A squaw who died recently at Easthampton at a very advanced age was named Han- nah Hannibal. One of the Montauk Pharoahsdied about three years ago and his brother succeeded him. He bore the traits of pure blood in the sallow complexion and long straight hair of his race. With the advance of settlements on the island the Montauks have faded away, till but a remnant of scarcely a dozen pure bloods remains on the reserved "Indian fields" on the promontory of Montauk. Subject to their reservations the whole promontory was recently sold in partition sale of the property to Arthur \V. Benson, of Brooklyn, for $151,000. The influence of their friends at Easthampton kept these Indians from taking part in King Philip's and other wars, and from being violently blotted out like most of their brethren. Elsewhere many of them have succeeded in whaling enterprises, and they have been ingenious in basket making. Some of those remaining around Mon- tauk are useful sailors or domestics. The Shinnecock tribe, much modified by negro inter- marriages, still cluster about Southampton to the number of about 200. They are in general a worthy and indus- trious people, with a good school and much pride of character. Many will recollect the mourning which went abroad on the loss, in the wreck of the " Circassia," of that fine corps of sailors of the Shinnecock tribe, whose courage and manliness were of a high heroic type. CHAPTER III. DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT OF LONG ISLAND — HISTORY OF COLONIAL TIMES. HE names by which Long Island was called by the Indians were various. Among them were Mattanwake, Meitowax, Sewanhacky (Island of Shells), Paumanake, etc. By rea- son of its form the early settlers applied to «Jp> the island its present name. The colonial Legis- ** lature in 1693 changed it to Nassau, in honor of William of Nassau, Prince of Orange, and required that all legal instruments should recognize that name. It never acquired more than a partial use, and though the act is unrepealed the name is obsolete. There have been traditions that this island was visited by Europeans prior to its discovery by Hudson; but these are probably no more reliable than similar traditions concerning other regions. An account of a voyage by John de Verazzano, in 1524, was published, and from his description it is believed by some that he entered the harbor of New York. Others insist that his journal gives no foundation for such a belief. The first discovery of Long Island by Europeans was made early in September 1609, by Henry Hudson, an Englishman in the employ of the Dutch East India Company. He had sailed in the "Half Moon" from Amsterdam on the 25th of the preceding March in search of a northwest passage to India. After touching at var- ious points on the coast north he sailed south to the mouth of Chesapeake Bay; then, passing north, entered Delaware Bay, from which he again sailed northward and entered New York Bay on the 3d of September. During the week that he remained there a boat's crew, engaged in making explorations, landed at Coney Island — the first portion of Long Island pressed by the foot of a white DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT. 2 3 man. On the 6th, John Colman, of a party that was sent up the river to sound and explore, was killed and two others were wounded by a party of twenty-six savages in two canoes. The next day Colman's body was buried on the shore, and the place of his interment was named Col- man's Point. By some this is believed to have been Sandy Hook; by others, Coney Island. After the discovery of the island by Hudson the region was visited by private adven- turers to trade, but in 1614 a decree of the States General forbade this and gave to the East India Company monopoly of this trade. In that year Adrian Block and Hendrick Christiance visited this region under the East India Com- pany and built a fort and some dwellings on the island of Manhattan or Manhattoes, as it was called by the Indians. Captain Block passed with his vessel through Hell Gate and sailed through the sound, and first discovered the insular condition of Long Island. Block Island, which was called by the Indians Manissees, was named in honor of him. It is said that his vessel was accidentally burned, and that he built another on or near Manhattan in the summer of 16 14. If so, it was the first vessel built in the United States. When English settlements were made in New England a rivalry at once sprang up between the English and the Dutch, each power striving to strengthen its authority by extending its settlements. Under these circumstances the settlement of the western end of the island by the Dutch commenced. It is not known who was the first actual settler on Long Island. Settlements were made in Flat- lands, Kings county, as early as 1636, possibly earlier. It is not probable that any settlement was made at the Wallabout prior to 1636. The name of this bay is cor- rupted from " Wahle Bocht" or " Waale Boght," which according to the late Hon. Teunis G. Bergen means " the Beach or Shore of the Cove;" Samuel Ogden renders it " the Bend of the Inner Harbor." Settlers came and located as caprice or circumstance seemed to dictate, without any provision for local government. At nearly the same time permanent settlements were made on the west end of the island by the Dutch and on the east by the English. Both purchased theit lands from the Indians; the English directly, and the Dutch through their governors, who first extinguished the Indian title, then parceled out the land to individuals in various ways, or gave permits to purchase from the Indians. On the west end of the island the Dutch in 1636 set- tled Brooklyn, first named Breuckelen after a town of that name in the province of Utrecht, in Holland; Flatlands, first New Amersfort, after a place of the same name in Holland, also in 1636; Flushing, or in Dutch Vlissingen, also after a place of the same name in Holland, 1645; Flatbush, originally Midwout, after Midwout in Holland, 1 65 1 ; New Utrecht in 1657, and Bush wick orWoodtown in 1660. English immigrants were permitted to settle on territory claimed by the Dutch on taking the oath of allegiance to the Dutch government. Of the English towns under the jurisdiction of the Dutch Hempstead was settled in 1643; Gravescnd in 1645; Jamaica, originally Rusdorp, in 1655, and Newtown, first called Middlebury, in 1656- The jurisdiction of Oyster Bay, which was settled in 1653, was not during many years determined, but it finally came under Connecticut. The Dutch towns appear to have been wholly under the control of the governor, whose will in all matters — general and individual, civil and ecclesiastical — was ab- solute. The English towns under Dutch jurisdiction were allowed to choose their own officers, subject to the approval of the governor, to hold their town meetings, and manage their own matters as nearly like the eastern towns as circumstances would permit. It was hardly to be expected that in the exercise of power so nearly absolute the representatives of their H'gh Mightinesses, as the States General was termed, should not at times yield to their caprices, their sympathies or an- tipathies, and do arbitrary and oppressive acts. In the case of Governor Stuyvesant his tyrannical disregard of the people's rights led to the assembling, in 1653, of delegates from New York, Brooklyn, Flatbush, Flatlands, Graves- end, Newtown, Flushing and Hempstead, and the adoption of an address to the governor and council and States General, setting forth their grievances, and asking that they be redressed. To this no reply was given, though a protest was entered on their minutes against the meeting. When, in the same year, a second meeting assen.bled, the governor ordered them " to disperse and not to as- semble again on such business." A line had, in 1650, been established between the Dutch towns on the west and the English on the eastern end of the island by four commissioners — two from the Dutch government and two from the united colonies of New England, although the New England colonists had at that time no jurisdiction on the island. This line ran southward across the island from the " westernmost part of Oyster Bay." Notwithstanding this arrangement the Dutch governor continued to claim jurisdiction over Oyster Bay. The people at about this time were sorely troubled by what were known as "land pirates" or outlaws, who had been banished from New England, and against these the Dutch governor failed to afford them protection. It may here be remarked that the administration of Governor Stuyvesant, from about 1656 to the conquest in 1664, was disgraced by a degree of religious intolerance, and especially by persecution of the Quakers, which rivaled but which did not equal that of the Puritans of New England, of whom it may truly be said that the principle of religious liberty never dawned on their minds. For this persecution he was rebuked by the authorities in Holland. These persecutions were renewed about the commencement of the eighteenth century under the ad- ministration of Lord Cornbury, who in religious intoler- ance was fully equal to Peter Stuyvesant. In 1662 a new charter was granted to Connecticut, and this charter was interpreted to include the whole of Long Island. The eastern towns gladly availed themselves of this interpretation, and in 1663 the English towns under Dutch jurisdiction resolved to withdraw from that juris- 24 GENERAL HISTORY OK LONG ISLAND. diction and place themselves also under Connecticut. Soon afterward two commissioners were appointed by Connecticut to organize the government of that colony in these towns; but it does not appear from history that they fulfilled their mission, and the unsatisfactory con- dition of things continued till the conquest in 1664. As has been stated, the settlements of the Dutch were limited to the western end of the island, and their juris- diction to a comparatively small portion of that end. The eastern end was settled by English immigrants, un- der different auspices, and its settlement commenced a few years later. In 1620 King James I. of England granted to the Plymouth Company a charter for all the land between the 40th and 48th degrees of north latitude, extending from "sea to sea", which territory was termed New England. In 1636, at the request of King Charles I., the Plymouth Company conveyed by patent to William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, the whole of Long Island and the adjacent islands. Earl Stirling appointed James Farret his attorney for the sale of his real estate, and authorized him to select for himself twelve thousand acres of the territory. Farret selected Shelter Island and Robin's Island in Peconic Bay, and in 1641 sold these to Stephen Goodyear, of New Haven. Soon after the death of Earl Stirling and his son in 1640, the heir of the latter, grandson of the earl, for a consideration of three hundred pounds, surrendered to the crown the grant from the Plymouth Company, and it was embodied in the grant to the Duke of York, April 2nd 1664, which thus described it: "And also all that island or islands commonly called by the several name or names of Meito- wacks, or Long Island, situate, lying and being toward the west of Cape Cod and the narrow Higansetts, abut- ting upon the mainland between the two rivers there called or known by the several names of Connecticut and Hudson's River." In 1662 the Connecticut colony claimed Long Island under that clause in their charter of that year which in- cluded the "islands adjacent," and in 1664 sent a com- mission to the island to assert jurisdiction. The conquest in that year put an end to their proceedings. With this ex- ception no claim was made by any power to the eastern portion of the island between the years 1640 and 1664. The eastern towns were settled by the English as fol- lows: Gardiner's Island (annexed in 1680 to Easthamp- ton) in 1639. It was purchased in that year by Lion Gardiner from the attorney of Lord Stirling. Mr. Gar- diner had previously purchased it from the Indians. This was the first English settlement, and Mr. Gardiner was one of the first English settlers in the State of New York. Southampton and Southold were settled in 1640, East- hampton in 1648, Shelter Island in 1652, Huntington and Oyster Bay in 1653 though the latter was claimed by the Dutch, Brookhaven in 1655, and Smithtown in 1663. Most of the settlers in these towns were previous im- migrants in New England, who crossed the sound i • j larger or smaller companies and established independent settlements, which as their numbers increased came to be little republics, completely independent of all other powers. Although there were differences in the details of the government of the different towns, there was a general similarity among them. Each had its legislative, executive, and judicial department. The people assem- bled in town meeting constituted the legislative depart- ment, and in important cases the judicial also. In that case the assembly was sometimes termed the general court of the town. Two or three magistrates, a clerk, and a constable usually constituted the ordinary judicial and executive functionaries of the town. Of course the people required no bill of rights or constitution to pro- tect them from oppression by their rulers, for they were their own rulers. They organized companies of citizen soldiers, erected and garrisoned forts when necessary, enacted and enforced laws to regulate not only civil but also social and religous matters, and to guard against threatened vices as well as to restrain existing evils churches were erected, schools were established, and ministers and teachers were supported by taxes on the property of the citizens, imposed by the people them- selves in their legislative character. It is hardly necessary to say that these original settlers were Puritans, and that, although they were not guilty of such manifestations of bigotry and intolerance as disgraced the Puritans of New England, they jealously guarded against the introduction among them of innovations which would exert what they deemed a deleterious influence. They required of those who proposed to settle among them a probation of from three to six months, and if at the end of that time they were not satisfactory to the people they were notified to leave within a specified time. They were thus able to prevent undesirable people from coming among them, and to maintain their religious faith free from contamination by those holding heterodox opinions. To guard against the evils of intemperance the sale of intoxicating drinks was restricted under heavy penalties. The profanation of the Sabbath, lying, profane cursing and slander were penal offences in most of the towns, and the whipping post, the stocks, pillory, etc. were in common use. Thus, each town managed its own affairs, without any combination with neighboring towns, till the island came to be a part of New York in 1664. In view of their exposed situation and the difficulty of defending themselves against hostile attacks by the Indians or invasions by the Dutch, these towns one by one placed themselves under the protection of the New England colonies; without, however, subjecting themselves to tax- ation by those colonies, or relinquishing to the slighest extent their self-government. Southampton did this in 1644, Easthampton in 1657, Brookhavan in 1659, and Huntington in 1660. These came under the protection of Connecticut. Southold and Shelter Island assumed the same relation to New Haven in 1648. Connecticut and New Haven became united under a new charter in 1662, and these towns became a part of the new colony of Connecticut, sent representatives to the colonial As- sembly, and contributed toward the expense of the gov- UNDER THE DUKE OF YORK. 2 5 ernment. In the same year Oyster Bay also assumed this relation. The oppression to which the people in the towns under the jurisdiction of the Dutch were subjected has been spoken of. The inhabitants of both the Dutch and English towns had submitted to the tyranny of their rulers be- cause they saw no way of escape. In November of 1663 the people of the English towns held a mass meeting at Jamaica to consider their condition and devise means for their relief; but, although no attempt to disperse them was made, no results were accomplished. Tliey were therefore ready to welcome anything which promised relief. Early in 1664 Charles the Second of England granted to his brother James, Duke of York, territory which in- cluded New Amsterdam and all of Long Island. An ex- pedition was at once fitted out and sent under Colonel Richard Nicolls, who was commissioned deputy governor, to take possession of the colony. On his arrival at New York in August of that year he demanded of Governor Stuyvesant the surrender of his possessions, which was refused. Colonel Nicolls and the commissioners, Robert Carr, George Cartwright and Samuel Maverick, who had been sent with him to assist in the government of the colony, landed at Gravesend, and, at a meeting held for that purpose, consulted with the people, and with Gov- ernor Winthrop of Connecticut, and exhibited to them the royal grant to the Duke of York. He also issued a proclamation promising protection and all the privileges of English subjects, and sent officers for volunteers in the western towns of the island. After consultation with his burgomasters and the people Governor Stuyvesant, find- ing that the current of popular opinion set strongly in that direction, reluctantly consented to a surrender, and thus, without bloodshed, the government passed to the English. The people of the towns on the west end of the island acquiesced in the change, relying on the promise of Gov- ernor Nicolls and the commissioners that they should enjoy all the privileges of English subjects — a promise which was not fulfilled. The eastern towns, however, which had been independent, and which were then a part of Connecticut, were not willing to sever their political relations with that colony and become subject to the Duke of York, and Connecticut at first maintained her claim to them. Governor Winthrop, who had been one of the commissioners to arrange the terms of surrender, "informed the English on Long Island that Connecticut had no longer any claim to the island; that what they had done for them was for the welfare, peace and quiet set- tlement of his Majesty's subjects, they being the nearest organized government to them under his Majesty. But now that his Majesty's pleasure was fully signified by his letters patent their jurisdiction had ceased and become null." In March 1665 a convention of delegates from the towns assembled at Hempstead, in accordance with a proclamation of Governor Nicolls, " to settle good and known laws within this government for the future, and receive yor best advice and information at a genall meet- ing." At this convention the boundaries and relations of the towns were settled and determined, and some other matters adjusted. New patents were required to be taken by those who had received their patents from the Dutch authorities, and it was required that patents should be taken by those who had never received any, as was the case with the eastern towns. These required a quit-rent — a relic of feudal customs — which was the source of much trouble, and the subject of abuse afterward. A code of laws for the government of the province was also promulgated. These, which had been compiled at the dictation. of the governor, were termed the duke's laws. They contained many of the provisions which had been adopted by the eastern towns, and many of the enact- ments would be looked on at the present day as curios- ities. With some modifications they were continued in force till 1683, when the first provincial Assembly held its session. Thompson says: "In addition to other mat- ters which occupied the convention at Hempstead in 1665, Long Island and Staten Island (and probably Westchester) were erected into a shire, called after that in England Yorkshire, which was in like manner divided into sep- arate districts denominated ridings; the towns now in- cluded in Suffolk county constituted the East ' Riding;' Kings county, Staten Island, and the town of Newtown the ' West Riding,' and the remainder of Queens county the 'North Riding' of Yorkshire upon Long Island." The word " riding " thus used is a corruption of trithing — a third. The original names of some of the towns were changed to the present ones at this meeting, it is sup- posed. So highly pleased were the delegates at this con- vention with the prospect before them, under the assur- ances of the governor, that they adopted and signed an address to the king, pledging loyalty and submission in terms that were not pleasing to the people and that were criticised with such severity that the court of assize is- sued an edict forbidding further censure of these dep- uties, under penalty of being brought before the court " to answer for the slander." Under the duke's laws the justices — one in each town — were appointed by the governor, as was also the high sheriff of the shire, and a deputy sheriff for each riding- Each town elected at first eight and afterward four over- seers and a constable, who constituted a town court, with jurisdiction limited to cases of -£<^ or less. They also assessed taxes and regulated minor matters. Each riding had a court of sessions consisting of the justices, with whom the high sheriff, members of the council, and sec- retary of the colony were entitled to sit. It had criminal jurisdiction, and in civil cases its judgments were final in cases less than £20. The court of assize, which con- sisted of the governor, council and an indefinite number of magistrates, had appellate jurisdiction in cases from inferior courts, and original jurisdiction in suits for de- mands above £20. No provision was made for a legislature; and, while this court of assize was nominally the head of the gov- ernment, the governor, who appointed the members of it, and who could remove most of them at his pleasure, 4 2 6 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND really possessed unlimited legislative, executive and ju- dicial authority. Thompson says : "In this court the governor united the character of both judge and legislator. He interpreted his own acts, and not only pronounced what the law was but what it should be." Although the people on the western end of the island became aware that the government under the Duke of York was framed on no better model then that under the Dutch governor, and those in the English towns that they were shorn of all their former privileges, Governor Nicolls exercised his powers so carefully and judiciously as to allay their discontent. He relinquished the reins of government in 1668 and was succeeded by Francis Lovelace, who during his administration acquired the almost unanimous ill- will of the people. When, in 1670, a levy was made on the towns to raise money for repairing the fort at New York, nearly all the English towns, by vote, refused to obey the order for the contribution or levy unless "they might have the privileges that other of his Majesty's sub- jects have and do enjoy." Thompson says: " The English colonists on Long Island brought with them the doctrine that taxes could only be imposed with the con- sent of the people by their representatives in a general assembly." It is not known that this tax was ever col- lected in those towns. This was the first open manifes- tation in this country of a spirit of resistance to the in vasion of this right — a resistance which led, a century later, to the American Revolution. The resolutions of refusal were laid before the governor and council, and were by them ordered to be publicly burned before the town house of the city. It is said of Governor Lovelace that in 1668 he wrote to Sir Robert Carr in New Jersey, that to keep people submissive the best method was "to lay such taxes upon them as may not give them liberty to entertain any other thoughts but how they shall discharge them." Had not the administration of Governor Lovelace come to an end by a sudden and unexpected event, he would probably have suffered the full consequences of the pop- ular indignation which his disregard of the people's rights aroused. " The country, which had now been nine years governed by the Duke of York's deputies, and experienced in very full measure the ill effects of ignorance and indis- cretion in the conduct of its rulers, came once more under the government of their ancient masters, the Dutch." Between 1672 and 1674 the English and Dutch were at war, and in the latter part of July 1673 a small Dutch squadron entered New York harbor, and Captain Manning, the commandant of the fort, surrendered it without re- sistance. For this act he was afterward sentenced to have his sword broken over his head. Captain Anthony Colve was by the commanders of the squadron appointed governor of the colony, and he at once set about the re-establishment of the authority of the Dutch government. In the towns that had before been under the Dutch regime submission was readily made, but in the towns of the East riding his task was more difficult. Huntington and Brookhaven yielded after a time on certain conditions, but Southold, Southampton and Easthampton rejected all overtures, and petitioned for admission to the colony of Connecticut. They were accepted, and when Governor Colve attempted to reduce these towns to submission by force Connecticut sent troops to their assistance, and the Dutch were repulsed. In November 1673 tne New England colonies declared war against the Dutch, and made preparations for active hostilities. The conclusion of peace, early in 1674, be- tween the English and Dutch of course arrested their proceedings. On the restoration of the duke's govern- ment these towns were unwilling to become subject again to a rule under which they had been oppressed. Resist- ance was unavailing, however, and they were compelled to submit to a repetition cf the foimer despotic sway of the duke's governors. Sir Edmund Andros became governor on the restor- ation of the duke's authority, and his administration, which continued till 1681, was even more despotic than that of Governor Lovelace. Colonel Thomas Dongan succeeded Governor Andros. On his arrival, in 1683, he at once issued orders for summoning a general assembly. This was the result of a petition to the duke by the grand jury of the court of assize in 1 68 1. At the first session of this colonial Assembly, in 1683, they "adopted a bill of rights, established courts of justice, repealed some of the most obnoxious of the duke's laws, altered and amended others, and passed such new laws as they judged that the circumstances of the colony re- quired." At this session the "ridings" were abolished, and the counties of Kings, Queens, and Suffolk or- ganized. Another session was held in 1684, at which, among other acts, the court of assize was abolished, and another Assembly was summoned to convene in the fol- lowing year. "Charles II. died February 6th 1685, and the Duke of York succeeded him by the title of James II.; as he de- termined to have as little to do with parliaments as pos- sible so it is probable that he revoked the power which he had given to his governors to call assemblies, and de- termined that they should rule the colony by his instruc- tions alone, without admitting the people to any partici- pation in the public councils." Under the government of James no other session of the Legislature was ever held. On the occurrence of the revolution in England which placed William and Mary on the throne a party of sympathi- j zers with that revolution, led by Jacob Leisler, seized the government of the colony, and during two years matters here were in an unsettled condition. Long Island gave only a partial support to Leisler; and when, in 1690, he summoned a general assembly, no members from Suffolk attended and one from Queens refused to serve. It ap- pears that Leisler attempted to use force against some portions of Long Island which he declared to be in a state of rebellion, but that his efforts proved entirely unsuc- cessful. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DUTCH SETTLERS. 27 CHAPTER IV. CUSTOMS, CHARACTERISTICS AND INSTITUTIONS OF THE EARLY LONG ISLANDERS. HE customs of the early Dutch settlers on the west end of the island were in many respects quite different from those of the people who settled other parts of it. An account of some of them is given by Mr. Furman in his intiquities of Long Island," from which most of the following brief sketches are condensed. At first most of those on the north side or middle of the island buried their dead in private or family burial grounds, without monuments. On the south or level portion interments were made in the churchyards, and even in the churches in some instances. The governors and colonial Assembly in 1664 and 1684 enacted laws against this practice. Their funerals were quite different from those of the present time; wines and liquors and cold collations were provided for the guests, and often linen scarfs, gloves, funeral cakes etc. were distributed among them. Funerals were thus made very expensive, and often bore a strong resemblance to joyous feasts. It was also customary for young men, on arriving at their majority, to convert the first money they earned into gold and lay it aside to defray the expense of a respect- able funeral should they die early. Another practice was to lay aside for each member of the family a linen shirt, handkerchief, etc., and never suffer them to be worn, but keep them clean to bury them in. In case a woman died in childbed a white sheet, instead of a black pall, was spread over her coffin as she was carried to the grave. They took especial care to provide for the education of their children. The teachers were appointed only on the recommendation of the governor, and their duties were very accurately prescribed. In modern times a teacher would smile to find that his contract required him to instruct the children in the common prayer and catechism; to be chorister of the church; to ring the bell three times before service, and read a chapter of the Bible between the ringings of the bell; to read the Ten Commandments, the articles of faith, and set the psalm after the last ringing: to read a psalm of David as the congregation were assembling in the afternoon: to read a sermon, in the absence of the clergyman; to furnish a basin of water for the baptisms, report to the minister the names and ages, and names of the parents and sponsors of the children to be baptized; to give funeral invitations, toll the bells, serve as messenger for the consistories, etc., etc.. and to receive his salary in wampum, wheat, dwell- ing, pasturage and meadow. Such were the provisions of a contract with a Dutch teacher in 1682. The practice of nicknaming prevailed among them and even in the public records are found such names as Friend John, Hans the Boore, Long Mary, Old Bush, and Top Knot Betty. The same practice prevailed among them that is found among the Swedes now, of taking the par- ent's Christian name with "sen" or "son" added to it, and for this reason it is often difficult to trace genealogies. Both negro and Indian slavery prevailed on Long Isl- and. Not many records are left of cruelty on the part of masters toward their slaves, and it is believed that the "peculiar institution" here did not possess some of the opprobrious features which characterized it in the south- ern States. A species of white slavery also existed here as elsewhere. Indigent immigrants sold their services for definite periods, during which they were as much the sub- jects of purchase and sale as veritable slaves. Frequently advertisements appeared in the papers offering rewards for fugitive negro or Indian slaves. At the time of the negro plot to burn New York some of the slaves on Long Island were suspected of complic- ity; and it is recorded that one was sentenced "to be burnt to death on the 18th of July 1741." What was termed samp porridge (from the Indian seaump — pounded corn) was made by long boiling corn that had been pounded in a wooden mortar — a process that was learned from the Indians. What was known as "suppaan" was made in the same way from more finely ground meal. The same dish was called suppaan by the Palatines. who afterward settled in the Mohawk valley. These mortars or pioneer mills, as they were sometimes called, were at first the only means the settlers pos- sessed of converting their corn into coarse meal, and the process was called niggering corn, because the work was usually done by negro slaves. In the absence of shops or manufactories, which have so universally come into existence, every farmer was his own mechanic. He was, by turns, mason, carpenter, tanner, shoemaker, wheelwright and blacksmith; and the women manufactured their cloth from flax and wool, fre- quently, it is said, taking their spinning-wheels with them on afternoon visits to each other. Houses and their fur- niture among these people in early times were quite dif- ferent from those of the present day; white floors sprinkled with sand, high-backed chairs, ornamented with brass nails along the edge of the cushioned seat and leathern back; pewter and wooden plates and dishes — which were preferred by the conservative old Knicker- bockers long after the introduction of crockery, because they did not dull the knives — and silver plate among the wealthy were the common articles of furniture. This silver plate was in the form ot massive waiters, bowls, tankards, etc., and had usually descended in the family from former generations as an heirloom. Sometimes china plates were seen hanging around as ornaments — holes having been drilled through their edges and ribbons passed through by which to suspend them. Punch, which was a common beverage, was drunk from a common bowl of china or silver, and beer or cider from a tankard. The wealthy Dutch citizens had highly ornamented brass hooped casks in which to keep their liquors, which they never bottled. Holland gin, Jamaica rum, sherry and Pordeaux wines, English beer or porter, beer from their own breweries and cider were common drinks in early 2 8 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. times. When a wealthy young man among these settlers was about to be married he usually sent to Maderia for a pipe of the best wine, a portion of which was drunk at his marriage, another portion on the birth of his first son, and the remainder was preserved to be used at his funeral. Tea drinking was a custom of later date. The custom of visiting each other on Sunday afternoons long prevailed; but the clergy and the strictest of the laity, influenced perhaps by the views of their New England neighbors, came to regard it as an evil, and it was grad- ually discontinued. Furman says: " It seems more like Puritanic rigor than as an exhibition of Christian feeling to break up such kindly and social meetings as these, after the religious services of the day had been performed." Previouc to 1793 no post office was established on the island and no mail was carried on it. A Scotchman named Dunbar rode a voluntary post as early as about 1775. This was in violation of the law, but the necessity of the case caused the offense to be winked at The people on the west end of the island were supposed to receive their letters from the post-office in New York, and those on the east end from New London. Even as late as 1835, Fur- man says, the mail stage left Brooklyn for Easthampton no oftener than once a week, and mail packages were of- ten left and taken at designated places, such as a pellicu- lar rock or a box nailed to a tree. Hotels were few then, and the hospitalities of the people living along the route through the island were always readily extended to the few travelers who passed over it. Under the colonial government nearly all marriages on the island were under a license from the governor — a prac- tice which increased his income and added to the expense of entering the matrimonial state. Marriage by publica- tion of the banns seems to have been held in disrepute. In 1673 there was an officer at New York whose duty, which extended to Long Island, was to hear and deter- mine matrimonial disputes. He was styled "the first commissary of marriage affairs." Such an officer at the present day would lead a busy life. Many of the amusements, sports, and fireside enjoy- ments of the people here, as well as their religious customs and superstitions, were transplanted from the native countries of the original settlers. The origin of many of these in the remote past is lost; but customs often out- live the ideas which gave birth to them. On the annual return of Christmas the yule log and Christmas candles were burned among the English settlers as in ancient times in " merrie England" and the Dutch celebrated the holi- days with still greater zest alter the manner of their fore- fathers in the Netherlands. St. Nicholas, or "Santa Klaas," was regarded among the Dutch children as a veri- table personage, and they had a hymn in the Dutch lan- guage which they sang on the occasion of their Christmas festivities, the first line of which was, " Sanctus Klaas goedt heyligh man" i^St. Nicholas good holy man). The prac- tice which was introduced by these Dutch settlers of hav- ing their children's stockings hung up to be filled by Santa Klaas is far from being extinct. New Year's eve and the first of January were formerly celebrated in a noisy way by firing guns at the doors in a neighborhood, when the neighbors thus saluted were expected to invite their friends in to partake of refreshments and then join them to thus salute others till all the men were collected together, when they repaired to a rendezvous and passed the day in athletic sports and target firing. It was finally deemed necessary to arrest, by legal enactments, this practice of firing guns on these occasions. When the style was changed the Dutch here at first refused to recognize the change in their celebration of these festivals. New Year was never celebrated with greater cordiality and hospitality than by these people, and their old customs are plainly traceable in the manner of keeping the day still in vogue here. St. Valentine's day, called among the early Dutch here " Vrouwen dagh " or women's day, was a time of great hilarity among the young people. One peculiarity in their manner of celebrating it is thus described by Fur- man: " Every girl provided herself with a cord without a knot in the end, and on the morning of this day they would sally forth, and every lad whom they met was sure- to have three or four smart strokes from the cord be- siowed on his shoulders. These we presume were in those days considered as 'love taps ' and in that light answered all the purposes of the ' valentines ' of more modern limes." Easter day, or " Pausch " (pronounced Paus), was ob- served by religious services as well as merrymakings, and these continued through Easter week. Among their customs was that of making presents to each other of colured eggs, called Easter eggs, and this still prevails among some of their descendants. " Finckster dagh," or Pentecost, was once celebrated by the Dutch here on the first Monday in June by good cheer among neighbors, among which soft waffles were peculiar to this festival. Among the Dutch people in the days of slavery the custom prevailed uf presenting the children of their fe- male slaves, at the age of three years, to some young member of the family of the same sex, and the one to whom the child was presented at once g ive it a piece of money and a pair of shoes, and this event was often fol- lowed by strong and lasting attachments between these domestics and their destined owners. Of the domestic, social and religious customs of the English or New England settlers on Long Island it is unnecessary to speak. Some of these customs, modified by changes in the surroundings of these people during more than two centuries, and by the increasing cosmopol- itanism of the American people, are still in vogue among their descendants — faint traces of a bygone age, but sufficiently distinct to indicate their Yankee origin. These characteristic Yankee customs are generally known. The peculiar circumstances by which these settlers were surrounded led to the adoption of some customs which have quite passed away as these surroundings have given place to others. Since very early times the species of gambling that is designated " turf sports " has been very prevalent on THE WHALE FISHERY— PRICES OF STANDARD COMMODITIES. -9 Long Island, and the files of old newspapers abound with notices of races that were to take place, or accounts of those that had occurred. Lotteries too were not only tolerated but were often instituted to raise money for erecting churches, or founding religious or benevolent associations. The latter form of gambling is now pro- hibited by law, but whether or not the moral sense of the people will ever frown down the former is an unsolved question. During many years whaling was an important industry on the southeastern coast of the island, and at intervals along the shore whaleboats were kept for launching whenever whales were sighted. Mr. Furman, in describ- ing a tour around Long Island in old times, says that there might be seen "occasionally, at long intervals, small . thatched huts or wigwams on the highest elevations, with a staff projecting from the top. These huts were occupied, at certain seasons, by men on the watch for whales, and when they saw them blowing a signal was hoisted on this staff. Immediately the people would be seen coming from all directions with their whaling boats upon wagon wheels, drawn by horses or oxen, launch them from the beach, and be off in pursuit of the great fish. You would see all through this region these whaling boats turned upside down, lying upon a frame under the shade of some trees by the roadside, this being the only way in which they could keep them, having no harbors; four or five families would club together in owning one of these boats and in manning them." So much a standard industry was this that shares in the results of the fisheries were sometimes made portions of the salaries or perquisites of clergymen. In July 1699 it was said: " Twelve or thir- teen whales have been taken on the east end of the island." In 171 1 it was reported that four whales were taken at Montauk, eight at Southampton, two at Moriches, two and a calf at Brookhaven, two at Islip, and one drift whale that yielded twenty barrels of oil. In 1721 it was said that forty whales had been taken on Long Island, but in 1722 only four were reported. In 1741 they were reported as being more abundant. The whales that formerly frequented this coast have long since been exterminated or driven away, though occasionally strag- glers have been seen in comparatively recent times. The New York Times of February 27th 1858 published the following from a correspondent in Southampton: "At noon to day the horn sounded through the streets, which is the signal to look out for a whale. In a few minutes tough old whalemen enough had mustered on the beach to man several boats and push out into the surf in chase of three whales which were leisurely spouting in the offing. After an exciting but brief chase the lance touched the life of one of the three, who spouted claret and turned up dead. He was towed to the shore and will make — the judges say — forty barrels of oil." The taking of shellfish in the bays and on the coast has been an important and increasing industry, and the capture of fish for the expTession of oil and the manufac- ture of fertilizers has come to be a business of some im- portance. It was the custom of the Indians on this island before its settlement by the whites to annually burn the herbage on large portions of it, which were thus kept free from trees and underbrush. This enabled the early settlers to enter at once on the cultivation of the land, and to convert Urge tracts into common pastures. The arrest of the annual fires permitted underbrush to spring up in such profusion that the male inhabitants of the towns between the ages of sixteen and sixty were called out by the court of assize during four days of each year to cut away this growth. On the wooded portions of the island the timber was cut and converted into staves so rapidly by the early settlers that within the first twenty years the towns insti- tuted rules regulating or prohibiting the cutting of trees. At first the scarcity of a circulating medium compelled people to make exchanges in various kinds of produce, and this method necesitated the fixing of the value of produce, either by custom or law. The Indian sewant or wampum was very much used in the place of money, and both it and produce were used not only in business transactions but in the payment of taxes, fines etc. By reason of the facility with which the material could be procured the manufacture of wampum was sometimes engaged in by the whites within the memory of some now living. John Jacob Astor employed men to manufacture it here, that he might send it to the northwest and ex- change it with the Indians there for furs. The following schedule of the value of produce in the middle and latter part of the seventeenth century, when this custom pre- vailed, is taken from Wood: " Pork per lb., 3 pence; beef, 2; tallow, 6; butter, 6; dry hides, 4; green hides, 2; lard, 6; winter wheat 4s. to 5s. per bush.; summer wheat, 3s. 6d. per bush.; rye, 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. per bush.; Indian corn, 2s. 3d. to 2s. 6d. per bush.; oats, 2s. per bush." Stock in 1665 was legally valued as follows: "Colts, one to two years, ^3 each; two to three, ^4 each; three to four, ^8; horses four years or more of age, £12; bullocks, bulls or cows, four years or upward, £6 each; steers and heifers, one'to two years, each jQi 10s; two to three, £2 ios.; three to four, ^4; goats, one year, 8s.; sheep, one year, 6s. 8d.; hogs, one year, jQi. These were the prices fixed for the guidance of the town authorities in receiving produce, etc., in payment of taxes. Produce in place of a circulating medium continued in use till about 1700, when money had become sufficiently abundant for the re- quirements of trade. Board was 5s. per week; meals 6d. each; lodgings, 2d. per night; beer, 2d. per mug; pasture per day and night, is.; labor per day, 2s. 6d. About the commencement of the present century President Dwight traversed the island, and said of it that by reason of its insular situation the people must always be contracted and limited in their views, affections and pursuits, that they were destitute of advantages that were calculated to awaken and diffuse information and energy, and if such were to spring up here they would emigrate, and that it must continue for an indefinite period to be a place where advantages that were enjoyed elsewhere would be imperfectly realized. Eighty years have passed, and one has only to glance 3° GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. over the island to see that his predictions have been very "imperfectly realized." Instead of becoming an intellectual waste by reason of its insularity, it has come- to be the abode of wealth, refinement and intelligence, in a degree quite equal to that of any region in the country. The salubrity of its climate, its proximity to the great commercial metropolis of the country, the excellent fa- cilities for travel and communication which its railroad system affords, and its unsurpassed pleasure resorts and watering places, combine to make it one of the most de- sirable places of residence in the country; and year by year people f Long Island mosquito. The soil of the southern half of the island, beginning at the foot of the line of hills which divide it through its entire length, is alluvial, and of comparatively recent for- mation. Vegetable matter and loam are deficient, sand preponderating. The action of the water appears to have taken away a portion of its soluble minerals. The soil, being of light, friable character, is adapted to garden farming, whereas a clay soil by constant tillage becomes still more tenacious. The Hempstead plains, which, through a mistaken pol icy, have until recently been held as public domain, are susceptible of remunerative cultivation. The soil, which is composed of black sand and vegetable mould, is afoot or more in depth. The hollows which cross the tract at regular intervals appear to have been ancient water courses, with but little and in some places no soil to cover the substratum of coarse gravel which appears to underlie the whole formation. There is another and still more ex- tensive tract extending eastward from the plains, reaching to the head of Peconic Bay, composed so nearly of pure sand as to be incapable of profitable cultivation by any process now known. Scrub oak and pines, with a little wiry grass, which usually dries up in the hot summer sun, are the only products. The northern and hilly or undulating half of the island has a soil rich in the mineral elements and phosphates essential to plant growth. Hence wheat, potatoes, cabbage and other strong growing crops are more successfully grown than on the alluvial portions of the island. CHAPTER XII. FORMATION AND GROWTH OF THE TORICAL SOCIETY. LONG ISLAND HIS- HK first steps toward the formation of the Long Island Historical Society were natur- ally taken by a native Long Islander, who had affinities by birth, marriage and resi- dence with each of the three counties. He pre- pared and caused to be widely distributed the following circular: Brooklyn, February 14th, 1863. Dear Sir: The time has arrived when the city of Brooklyn should found and foster institutions — religious, historical, literary, scientific, educational and humani- tarian — beyond the scope of former undertakings. As one of these a historical society associated with our peculiar geographical position naturally suggests itself. We propose to establish THE LONG ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY. The threefold Indian, Dutch and English history of the island is full of interest, and there are doubtless con- cealed treasures in each department, which will be de- veloped by research and inquiry. By calling out the recollections of the living who will soon pass away, drawing puhlic records and private writings from their concealment, having a fit place for the collection and de- posit of trophies, memorials and historic materials, and also for conventions and lectures upon historic topics, it cannot be doubted that much valuable knowledge will be saved and communicated which would otherwise be irre- trievably lost. It is proposed to establish, first, a library and repository of books, documents and manuscripts, memorials, trophies and pictures. For this purpose all persons are requested to favor us with any appropriate material in their posses- sion, either by gift or on deposit. THE LONG ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 47 It is also proposed to encourage lectures upon historic and kindred topics. Without further developing our plans and objects in this circular, we invite your attendance at the rooms of the Hamilton Literary Association, Hamilton Building, corner of Court and Joralemon streets, Brooklyn (the door nearest the corner), on the evening of Tuesday March 3d 1863, at 8 o'clock, to take measures to organize the society. Henry C. Murphy, Alden J. Spooner, John Greenwood, )■ Kings County. John Winslow, Joshua M. Van Cott, J R. C McCormick jr., |_ ~ ng p Henry Onderdonk jr, \ s_ l,eens oun Y- Henry P. Hedges, Suffolk County. At the time and place mentioned there was an unusual attendance of the educated and progressive citizens. Other meetings were held in the same place, which devel- oped a warm interest. The subject was debated in a be- coming spirit, the society was resolved upon, and appro priate committees were appointed to prepare an act of incorporation under the general law and a constitution and by-laws, and provide the requisite rooms. The or- ganization was ultimately effected, and rooms were se- cured under the Hamilton rooms, on the corner of Court and Joralemon streets. The first election of officers took place in these rooms in May 1863, the following full bqard being elected: President, James C. Brevoort; first vice-president, John Greenwood; second, Charles E. West; foreign correspond- ing secretary, Henry C. Murphy; home corresponding secretary, John Winslow; recording secretary, A. Cooke Hull, M. D.; treasurer, Charles Congdon; librarian, Henry R. Stiles. Directors. — Charles Congdon, Roswell Graves, Thomas W. Field, A. C. Hull, M. D., J. M. Van Cott, Ethelbert S. Mills. R. S. Storrs jr., D. D., Henry R. Stiles, M. D., A. N. Littlejohn, D. D., Charles E. West, LL. D., A. A. Low, George W. Parsons, Alden J. Spooner, John Wins low, S. B. Chittenden, Hon. John Greenwood, George A. Stephenson, Hon. Henry C. Murphy, William Poole, Henry Sheldon, J. Carson Brevoort, W. I. Budington, D. D., Elias Lewis jr., Theodore L. Mason, M. D., Henry E. Pierpont. Counsellors. — Kings County: Hon. John A. Lott, Francis Vinton, D. D., T. G. Bergen, F. A. Farley, D. D., Ben- jamin D. Silliman. Hon. James Humphrey. Queens County: William Cullen Bryant, Hon. John A. King, Richard C. McCormick, John Harold, L. B. Prince, Sol- omon D. Townsend. Suffolk County: Hon. Selah B. Strong, Hon. J. L. Smith, William S. Pelletreau, James H. Tuthill, Rev. E. Whitaker, Henry P. Hedges. Executive committee. — R. S. Storrs jr., D. D. (chair- man), J. M. Van Cott, Alden J. Spooner, E. S. Mills, George W. Parsons, Henry Sheldon, Simeon B. Chitten- den, Henry R. Stiles (secretary). The first annual meeting (second year) was held May 5th 1864, at which all the above officers were re-elected and the first annual report was presented, which exhibits a beginning of great vigor and hopefulness. In this re- port Dr. Henry R. Stiles, the librarian, says: " The nucleus of a library, with which we commenced our operations on the 4th of June last, comprised about 800 bound volumes and 1,000 unbound volumes and pamphlets. This collection, consisting chiefly of works relating to Long Island and American local history, family genealogies and newspapers, was contributed mainly by Messrs. J. C. Brevoort, A. J. Spooner, E. B. Spooner, Henry Onderdonk jr. and Henry R. Stiles. We then occupied two apartments, one used as a lecture- room; the other and smaller of the two was shelved as a library room, having, as we then modestly thought, ample accommodations for the next two years. We soon found, however, that we had quite underestimated the liberality of our friends; for so large was their sympathy, so active their co-operation, and so steady the influx of their gifts — never intermitting for a single day, it might almost be said for a single moment — that it soon became evident we should need more book room. At this point in our history (in September 1863) the receipt of nearly 1,100 valuable volumes from the trustees of the former City library fairly overwhelmed our slender accommodations, and obliged us to extend our borders by securing three large and commodious apartments adjoining the library." These claims for additional space, made by the natural history and museum department as well as the library, soon compelled the occupation of the entire third stories of the two large buddings which front on Court and corner on Joralemon street, comprising eight ample and convenient rooms, there being one reading room espec- ially for ladies, with cosey alcoves for books and appro- priate spaces for a large collection of valuable pictures. In these rooms the collections remained until removed to the society's own building. Even to this space had to be added, for the annual courses of lectures, the large lec- ture room of the Packer Institute, near at hand on Joral- emon street; and at times the Athenaeum, Atlantic av- enue and Clinton street. For additional space for the lectures the society for several years latterly has occupied the Second Presbyterian Church, Clinton and Fulton streets; and for some of the lectures of 1880-81 the beau- tiful auditorium of the First Baptist Church, Pierrepont and Clinton streets. The society having been greatly favored in the accum- ulation of the materials of history, a spirit sprung up among the members of individual and mutual labor on works of local history. The principal of these were: A History of Brooklyn, in three volumes, by Henry R. Stiles. The Wallabout Series of Memoirs of the Prison Ships, with annotations by Henry R. Stiles. Journal by two Labadists, Dankers and Sluyter, of a voyage to New Netherland from Holland in 1679-80. History of the Battle of Long Island, by Thomas W. Field. The Campaign of 1776 around New York and Brook- lyn, including particulars of the Battle of Long Island, by H. P. Johnson. Sketch of the first settlement of Long Island, by Silas Wood; reprinted with biography and address by A. J. Spooner. History of Brooklyn, by Gabriel Furman; reprinted with biography by A. J. Spooner, and notes by H. R. Stiles. Revolutionary Incidents in Kings, Queens and Suffolk, by Henry Onderdonk jr., of Jamaica. 48 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. Dr. Stiles resigned his office of librarian, and was suc- ceeded by George Hannah, who has served since July ist 1865. The collections in books and objects of art and curios- ity increased so largely as to make an irresistible appeal for the always contemplated building; and about three years ago the board resolved upon a determined effort. An active committee was appointed, which prosecuted the work with zeal and success. In November 1877 it was reported that $100,000 had been subscribed. Plans were solicited, and those of George B. Post, a New York architect, were preferred. Under his care the building has proceeded, and it was formally taken possession of, with appropriate ceremonies and speeches, Wednesday January 12th 18S1, in the lecture room of the new build- ing. Samuel McLean was chairman of the building com- mittee. The number of subscribers to the building fund was exactly 300. The amount subscribed was $137,684. The cost of the building was $121,250. The three lots on which it stands cost in 1867 $32,500, on which $20,- 000 was then paid by subscribers, leaving a mortgage of $14,500; this was paid off on the delivery of the building, and a balance of $2,000 paid to the society. The society, like the Academy of Music and the Mercantile Library, has demonstrated the high-toned intelligence and liberality of the "City of Churches" in whatever concerns its re- ligious, moral or social welfare. Among the benefactors of the society (much too numerous to mention all, or even the leading contributors; should be named the two sisters Thurston, who gave $2,000 for a department of the his- tory of Egypt and the Holy Land, and Miss Maria Cary, who subscribed $2,500 to found a department of American biography. An unknown giver donated $2,000 as the nucleus of a permanent fund for increasing the library. The principal addition to this fund has been Mr. Seney's gift of $50,000, while he also gave $12,000 for immediate expenditure in books, and $25,000 for binding books. There are other invested funds for special departments. The society is now established and fully equipped in its new and superb building, Clinton and Pierrepont streets, Brooklyn. The number of books in the library is about 30,000, with about an equal number of pamphlets. To these there has been a large addition of rare and valuable books in every department from the splendid donations made for such purpose. The museum and natural history department is ar- ranged in the spacious upp.T hall of the building, and is under the competent and energetic care of Elias Lewis jr., whose reputation as a naturalist and scientist is well known on the island. The collections have since the removal been furnished with appropriate cases for their full display. For all the privileges of the library, museum and lec- tures the fees are $5 for initiation and the same amount annually; life membership $100. There are over 1,300 annual and life members. At the last election for officers of the society the fol- lowing officers were chosen: President, Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D. I)., LL. D.; first vice-president, Hon. Henry C. Murphy, LL. D.; second vice-president, Hon. Joshua M. Van Cott; foreign corre- sponding secretary, Hon. Benjamin D. Silliman; home corresponding secretary, Rev. Charles H. Hall, D. D.; recording secretary, Chauncey L. Mitchell, M. D.; treas- urer, A. \V. Humphreys; librarian, George Hannah; curator, Elias Lewis jr. Directors— -Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D. D., LL. D.; Hon. Henry C. Murphy, LL. D., Samuel McLean, Alfred S. Barnes, Rev. Charles H. Hall, D. D., James R. Taylor, Henr y E. Pierrepont, A. Abbott Low, Henry Sheldon, Walter T. Hatch, Alexander M. White, Bryan H. Smith, Hon. Simeon B. Chittenden, Hon. Benjamin D. Silliman. J. Carson Brevoort, LL. D., Hon. Joshua M. Van Cott, Edwards S. Sanford, Rev. Alfred P. Putnam, D. D., Elias Lewis jr., Chauncey L. Mitchell, M. D., John S. Ward, George I. Seney, Joseph C. Hutchinson, M. D., A. W. Humphreys, Henry D. Polhemus. Councillors. — Kings county: Alden J. Spooner, Rt. Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, D. D., Hon. J. S. T. Stranahan, Abraham B. Baylis, Peter C. Cornell, David M. Stone, Hon. John Greenwood, Rev. Frederick A. Farley, D. D., Prof. Darwin G. Eaton, George L. Nichols, Rev. N. H. Schenck, D. D., Hon. Joseph Neilson. Queens county: Henry Onder- donk jr., William Floyd Jones, John A. King, Benjamin D. Hicks, Henry W. Eastman. Suffolk county: James H. Tuthill, Hon. J. Lawrence Smith, Hon. John R. Reed, Rev. Epher Whitaker,William Nicol, Samuel B. Gardiner. HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY CHAPTER I. CIVIL HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY — CRIMES AND PEN- ALTIES — THE COURT-HOUSE — OFFICIALS. f^ROM the first settlement of the towns till the English conquest in 1664 minor offenses were tried in the town courts, without ap- peal; but graver cases were appealable to the Dutch governor in New Amsterdam. 1665 Richard Nicolls, the English governor, ordered a convention to assemble at Hempstead, which promulgated " the duke's laws," a written copy of which remains on file in some of the towns to this day. In 1683 the General Assembly repealed some of the ob- jectionable laws, and appointed town courts to be held monthly and a court of sessions to be held annually at Jamaica; also a yearly court of oyer and terminer. At this session of the Assembly Queens county was created from what had been Yorkshire. In 1691 the courts of common pleas and general sessions were organized more definitely. Most of the court records have been dispersed or lost. A few tattered volumes may be yet found in the clerk's offices of the several towns. A volume of the minutes of the common pleas and general sessions from 1720 to 1774 is still preserved in the county clerk's office. Judge Lewis Morris has left a volume of his minutes of the su- preme court and oyer and terminer from 1722 to 1746. The judges were pompous. Those of the supreme court wore red silk gowns, flowing wigs of powdered hair, breeches buckled at the knee, stockings and shoes fastened on with very large silver buckles. They had a high sense of their dignity. A body of soldiers at the beginning of a court escorted the judges from their lodgings to the court-house, attended with much com- pany, in great pomp, with trumpets and other music be- fore them. One Samuel Bownas having (in 1702) preached against the sacraments and baptism of the Church of England, the chief justice, John Bridges, had a desire to have him indicted for that offense. He charged the grand jury, having first called over their names, and sent them out to find a true bill against him. Bownas had taken the precaution to lay before the jury some minutes of his proposed defense, and when they returned into court they presented the bill against him indorsed "Ignoramus." The judge was very angry and demanded their reasons. A grand juror answered, "We are sworn to keep our deliberations secret." The judge was nettled and replied: "Now Mr. Wiseman speaks! You are not so sworn, and I have a mind to lay you by the heels [that is, put you in the stocks] and fine you." The grand juror replied, " Neither grand nor petit jurors are to be menaced, but are to act freely and to the best of their judgment." Now the judge, finding he had not children to deal with, began to flatter, and requested the jury to take back " the bill " and resume considera- tion on it. Next morning the judge asked the foreman, " How find you the bill ?" Answer: " As yesterday." The judge then charged the jury with obstructing justice. The clerk then by order of the judge called over the jurors singly to show their reasons. Some refused to say more than "That's our verdict"; others said, "How unreasonable for the court to try to perjure the jurors by revealing their secrets !" The jury stood 15 to 7. This angered the judge so that he adjourned the court for six weeks, ordered the prisoner to be kept closer than before and threatened to send him to London. In October 1703 the prisoner was again put on trial; the sheriff called 18 men for a grand jury, but they too came into court with their bill signed " Ignoramus," which made some of the lawyers say, by way of a joke, that they had got into an ignoramus county. The prisoner was led into court and discharged. In 1702 the governor ordered the attorney-general to take measures in the supreme court for the removal from 5" HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. office of Justices John Talman and Jonathan Whitehead for speaking disrespectfully of the Holy Scriptures. In 1 7 19 some inhabitants of Jamaica complained to the governor of " the evil doings " of several of the justices of the peace, and "pray that they may be ousted from office. They are: (1) Jonathan Whitehead, who is a common pleader for money at the petty courts of justice, whereby he makes £60 per year, and is a card-player also. He daily vexes and teases the people of Newtown (for a debt which he says they owe him) before petty justices' courts, and once tried to rescue a prisoner out of the officer's hands. (2) John Smith, who would not notice informations made against one John Turner for speaking treasonable words against the king, and where he was sole judge has given a contrary judgment, once for the plaintiff and again for the defendant. (3} John Clement favored Whitehead, a brother justice, in a case where the defendant, refusing to pay an unjust assess- ment, was tossed from town to town to wait on 9 courts successively. (4) William Cornell has out-braved the law and taken upon himself in his petty justice's court to give judgment on a case of expressly against the letter of the law, and has been indicted for robbing per- sons of their fish and clothing. (5) John Hunt has been an instrument of oppression to his poor neighbors in Newtown. He once summoned a man before him for an act done out of the county, referred it to arbitration, then resumed the action, and cast the defendant. Again, upon the accidental breaking of a shoe-buckle in his presence, he called a court and gave judgment against the defendant for six shillings damages and three dollars costs, without allowing him time to prepare his defense He has also assumed the office of constable, and sum- moned a man to appear before himself in his own court, gave the plaintiff four shillings more than his debt, and allowed six shillings to himself, there being no evidences. And to crown all they have, after agreement in cabal, unitedly and arbitrarily turned out our church wardens, fined each and given out executions against them with- out signifying their sentence, and have also invaded the privileges of the vestry in giving away the people's money without the vestry's consent." The justices were not re- moved from office. In 1773 Governor Tryon by a writ of supersedeas re- moved Samuel Smith, of Jamaica, from his office of jus- tice of the peace. In 1705 Roger Mompesson, chief justice, held a court in Jamaica and sentenced one Samuel Wood to be burnt on the cheek, near the nose, with the letter T (signifying thief) for stealing money and goods from John Marsh. In 1724 the judges of the supreme court ordered Richard Bradley, attorney-general, to prosecute the justices of Queens county for the insufficiency of their jail. In 1702 some people of the county complained to the General Assembly of the erection of a court of chancery, with its exorbitant fees and arbitrary orders. In this court the Rev. Joshua Bloomer entered a suit for the re- covery of his salary. The governor, being chancellor, awarded him his salary from the day of his induction, 1769 to 1774, each party to pay their own costs. In 1727 Adam Smith, for scandalizing Justice Johannes Van Wyck, was fined 20 shillings. In 1744 Ephraim Cheeseman at the court of sessions covered his head with his hat and refused to take the oath, under pretense of being a Quaker; but as he had no certificate thereof he was committed to prison and fined three shillings and costs. In 1733, Justice James Dickinson coming into court and telling them that they ^the judges would not do him justice, the sheriff was ordered to take him into custody. On his submission and petition he was discharged. In 1729 one Jacob Forman was tried for counterfeit- ing. The court ordered the constnble to keep the jury from meat and drink, fire or candle, till they agreed. In 1742 one Abraham Shulter pleaded guilty to his in- dictment and the court ordered him fifteen lashes on his naked back immediately. Before the present century Queens county had no dis- trict attorney, but one from New York performed that duty. .The more eminent lawyers also resided in New York. Among them were Jacob Regnier and Major Bickley, 1710; John Chanlers, 1723; Dongan, Rice, Kelly, Bragg, William Smith, 1727; Lodge, Lurturg, 1730; Ben- jamin Nicolls, Anthony White, 1740; Crannel, 1753; Duane, Emmot, 1757; Reade, 1758; Burnet, Alsop, 1760; Benjamin Kissam, 1762; McKesson, 1769; Joseph Reid jr., John Jay, 1770; Willetts, DePeyster, 1772; Helme, Murray, 1772. The practitioners in the inferior courts were residents in the county, such as Samuel Clawes, father and son, 1710-53; Peter Chook, 1687; Slos and Whitehead Hicks, 1760; Slos and Daniel Jones (who finally rose to em- inence 1760; Riker, 1763; Abner Skinner, Eliphalet Wickes, B. F. Thompson, William H. Barroll, Thomas C. Pinckney, 1825; W. T. McCoun, Wessel S. Smith, &c. In the early settlement of the county crimes of a deeper dye were unknown. The settlers were a sort of com- munists. They early took measures to keep interlopers and strangers of unknown character out of their bounds, no sojourner being allowed to stay over a day and a night unless his host would become surety for his good behavior and save the town from any expense on his account. By degrees, however, bad men got among them. They had also slaves, who being ignorant and brutal, and sometimes overworked and ill-treated, became lawless. The over- seers of the towns could inflict the milder punishments, but an appeal could usually be taken (under the Dutch) to the director-general in New York. Under the English government courts of civil and criminal jurisdiction were established. There was no jail in the county before 1670, and crim- inals were sometimes sent to New York for imprison- ment. For smaller offenses the punishments were speedy. Offenders were banished, whipped, set in the stocks or pillory, and sometimes branded or "stigmatized " with a hot iron. For slaves the punishments were more severe. In New York for murdering the whites they were broken PENALTIES IN COLONIAL TIMES. 5i on the wheel, suspended alive in an iron case by chains to a gibbet and left to starve. We will now give some instances of the peculiar punishments inflicted by our ancestors in Queens county: January 8th 1856 the court sentenced John Smith, of Newtown, for stealing pigs, to be beaten severely with rods, and then to be marked and banished. July 5th 1667 Thomas Etherington, of Newtown, was sentenced to sit for two hours in the stocks, for stealing two hens; and his wife for her misbehavior to sit two days at the same, on the next monthly court day. In 1668 — "If John JaCobson don't return the goods he stole he shall be turned out of Newtown." October 4th 167 1 William Hubbs was sentenced to a fine of ^5 or to an infliction of ten stripes for hog steal- ing. In 1672 Andries, a slave of William Lawrence, was given 39 stripes and branded on the forehead with a hot iron for stealing some linen at Jamaica. January 15th 1764 John Jennings, for abstracting law papers, was set in the stocks for two hours, with a paper pinned on his breast, signifying his crime. February 9th 1674, there being no "lock-up" at Flushing, the court sent one James, " a dangerous fellow," to New York to be kept in prison there. July 14th 1694 the town of Newtown voted that a pair of stocks be setup. They got worn out by exposure to the weather, and April 3d 1711 it was again voted to build a pair of stocks for the town's use. William Howard was chosen "negro whipper" of Oyster Bay from 17 17 to 1722. John Taylor was chosen "town whipper " from 1733 to 1737; James Rosell from 1738 to 1740; William Ingram in 1741, and in 1733, at town meeting, John Baker was chosen whipper "for Hempstead and the bounds thereof." December 4th 1727 David Wallace and David Wilson, for passing counterfeit bills, were sentenced to stand in die pillory at Jamaica one hour, then to be placed in a cart so as to be publicly seen with a halter about their necks, brought to the public whipping post, and there to receive, the former thirty-nine lashes, the latter twenty-eight stripes; after which they were to be imprisoned, the former six months and the latter three months. Apfil 4th 1727 Newtown voted that William Tallier should be the "general whipper" for the town. February 20th 1755 Quamino, a slave, having threatened a witness, the court ordered him twenty lashes on his bare back. January 18th 1772 Hempstead paid Benjamin Hall -£i for making a pair of stocks for the town's use, and in May 1784 paid £2 is. for building another pair. April 4th 1772 Joseph Price was chosen whipper for the town of Jamaica. In 1773 the town of Hempstead ordered a "cage " to be erected as a place of confinement for lesser criminals. April 6th 1784 the town of Oyster Bay voted that one or more pair of stocks be erected where the justices thought necessary. The town of North Hempstead voted in 1785 that stocks be erected at the public expense, and in 1806 that stocks be erected at William and Dobson Allen's inn, Manhasset. November 10th 1788 the county court sentenced John Green for horse stealing to receive thirty-nine lashes on his naked back "this afternoon, and thirty-nine more to-morrow, and then to depart the county." November 8th 1790 David Devoe, for stealing a horse worth was sentenced to receive immediately thirty-nine lashes on his bare back, "and the like infliction every forty- eight hours until he shall have received one hundred and fifty- six lashes, and then to depart the county." January nth 1791 John Bellard, of Newtown, was whipped. June nth 1791 there was paid Jonah Hallett, sheriff, 8s. " for executing a wench Nelly and whipping sundry persons." April 4th 1797 it was voted in town meeting that a " cage " be erected in Jamaica. October 12th 1808 there was paid Nicholas Wyckoff, sheriff, $12.50 as the expenses of executing Benjamin Tuin. John Williams, constable, was paid $1.50 for attending said execution. The last whipping noted on the record oc- curred October 6th 1810. February 2nd 1708 an Indian "Sam " and a negress, slaves of William Hallett jr., of Newtown, for the mur- der of their master, his wife and five children, were burnt at the stake at Jamaica, and put to all torments possible for a terror to others. Water in a horn fastened to a pole was reached to their mouths to allay their thirst and so prolong their sufferings. Two more negroes were executed as accessories to the crime. December 17th 17 14 Deborah Gryce was executed at Jamaica for causing the death of her infant child, and January 1st 1715 a free negro woman was executed for the same crime. December 30th 1726 Samuel, a negro slave of John Foster, was hanged for burglary. September 15th 1733 Edward King, a tinker, was hanged for killing Wil- liam Smith on the road near Flushing, by a stab in the breast with a knife. October 13th 1740 Richard Combs was hanged for burglary in robbing the house of John Hinchman, in Jamaica, of money and goods. November 2nd 1784 William Guthrie and Joseph Alexander were hanged at Jamaica for robbing the house of Thomas Thome, on the east shore of Manhasset. October 15th 1790 Nellie, a slave of Daniel Braine, was banged for setting fire to the house of J. Vanderbilt, town clerk of Flushing, whereby all the town records were consumed. October 25th 1793 Absalom, a negro, was hanged for a robbery and assault on Miss Elizabeth Mercier on the highway in Newtown. September 8th 1808 Benjamin Tuin was hanged for killing Adam Gordon with a hoe at Jerusalem; both colored; cause jealousy. March 12th 1853 Thomas Atchison was hanged for the murder of Rulef Voorhies, of Hempstead. January 15th 1875 Lewis Jarvis and Elbert Jackson, blacks, were executed for the murder of Jackson Jones at Jerusalem. Decem- ber 10th 1875 William Delancy was executed. It is not easy to ascertain when the first court-house and prison was erected, as for many years after the settlement of the towns the higher grades of crime were tried and punished in New York. In 1674 the court of Flushing, for want of a jail or " lock-up," sent one James, " a dangerous fellow," to New York for safe-keeping there. For minor offenses the towns had " a cage " for brief imprisonment. In January 1666 it was ordered that a sessions-house 5 2 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. and prison be built in Jamaica, and that jQio be levied on the several towns for that purpose. The people of Jamaica agreed to keep it in repair for 21 years, on con- dition of being allowed to worship in it on Sundays. The contractor, William Hallett, failed to perform his contract, and in 1669 the court decided that the building must be completed by next Christmas day or he be fined In 1702 Samuel Bownas, a Friend, was imprisoned here for preaching against the Church of England. He com- plained of being put in a small room made of logs, which had been protested against as an unlawful prison. His friends, however, furnished him with a very good bed and all things necessary to life. In 1708 divers of the principal inhabitants of Queens county petitioned the General Assembly for the enact- ment of a law to repair or build anew the County Hall (as it was then called) and the common jail. In 1 7 10 an act was passed to enable the supervisors to sell the old hall and prison, and to confirm the purchase of new ones. The proceedings seem to have been dila- tory, for in 1720 a bill was brought into the Assembly to empower the justices of the county to sell the hall and jail in Jamaica, and build another where they should think most convenient. In 1723 they were authorized to merely repair the old buildings; but in 1724 another bill was introduced in the Assembly to enable the justices to finish and complete the building already erected. It was not a perfectly secure prison, for in 1738 two prison- ers broke jail, and were advertised very minutely. One, William Wiggins, had gray hair and a very long visage. He wore a homespun coat, old sheep-skin breeches and a broad-brimmed beaver hat. The other, Amos Lang- don, was slow of speech, had on a gray worsted coat, old leather breeches, dog-skin shoes and a narrow-brimmed beaver. George Reynolds, under sheriff, offered ^13 re- ward for their recovery. In 1 77 1 Thomas Willett, sheriff, gave notice that two Jews, Levi Moses and Theodorus Benjamin, having been imprisoned many years for debt, broke jail. The jail was much used for the imprisonment of debtors. Joseph Smith and Nathaniel Pearsall lay there many years. Though they offered to give up all their property, their creditors were inexorable. They finally (1741) petitioned the General Assembly for relief. Negroes found roam- ing around the country without a pass were also liable to be taken up and put in jail. Thus in 1762 William Watts arrested a negro fellow in the meadows near Ja- maica, who probably spoke either Spanish or French, for he would not speak English. In 1764 Daniel Hewlett put a negro man in jail who said his master's name was Joseph Hendricks. " The owner may have him (if he don't get out of jail) on paying for trouble and charges." He wore a hat. with no brim, old stocking-leggins, blue breeches and no shoes. During the Revolutionary war the British commander tore down the old court-house and carried off the ma- terials to construct barracks and huts for the soldiers stationed in and around Jamaica, so that at the peace in 1783 there was no place for confining prisoners. They were kept under a guard of militia temporarily and then sent off to New York for safe keeping. Very considera- ble expenses were incurred in thus escorting prisoners to and from the city by a body of mounted militia. The old stone Presbyterian church was used as a court- house in 1784, when two robbers were sentenced to be hanged at Beaver Pond. In that year the agitation of the site of a new jail and court-house had been com- menced. The eastern people petitioned the Legislature to have it set at the west end of Hempstead Plains; the western people prayed that any future building might be at or near the old site in Jamaica. The Legislature, taking all the petitions into consideration, decided March 31st 17851 on a geographical center, and that ,£2,000 should be raised by the supervisors to build a court-house and jail within a mile of the " Windmill Pond " at or near the house of Benjamin Cheeseman, near the south bounds of North Hempstead; " and that till it be completed courts shall be held at Jamaica." The judges of the court of common pleas were author- ized to superintend its erection with good economy. The bill of Judge Timothy Smith for such superintend- ing from May 13th 1785 to June 2nd 1787 was at the rate of £50 for six months; and yet the taxpayers of that day thought he was unnecessarily spinning out the job ! What would they have said could they have witnessed the process of the erection of the present one ? February 8th 1787 the sheriff petitioned the Legislature for an act to remove the Queens county prisoners from the jad in New York to the jail just completed in Queens county. In 1790, February 9th, the first capital trial was held here before Judge Robert Yates, when, on motion of Aaron Burr, attorney general, two negro slaves, Nelly and Sarah, for arson, were sentenced to be hanged on Friday, October 15th, at some public place in the neigh- borhood of the court-house. In 1798 the sum of ^200 was raised for completing the court-house. On court days there was usually considerable excitement about the house and grounds. Farmers and others otten made a holiday of it. Many resorted thither to transact business and meet acquaintances. Stands and booths for the sale of oysters, cake and beer, and other refreshments abounded. Hilarity went beyond due bounds, according to a complaint made to General Jay by Cadwallader D. Colden, assistant attorney general (January 29th 1799}, wherein he says: " The court of Queens county is at all times the least orderly of any court I ever was in. The entry of the court-house is lined on court days with the stalls of dram sellers and filled with drunken people, so as to be almost impassable." About 1825-27, when the sheriff was prohibited from selling liquor in the court- house, he evaded the law by erecting a shed against the front of the building, and so sold liquor and passed it through a window into the court-house. On Sunday night, January 18th 1801, Walter Dunlevy, who was sentenced to fourteen years' imprisonment in THE COURT HOUSE— COUNTY OFFICERS. 53 the State prison for manslaughter, was rescued from this jail by his confederates. Two armed men came to the bedside of Willett Lawrence, under sheriff, bid him keep silent at his peril, took the key and let out the prisoner, and then locked in the sheriff. Dunlevy was discovered on a ship bound for Europe, and put for safe keeping in the Bridewell at New York. Political meetings, fairs and other public gatherings were often held at the court-house, and the New Market race course was near it till 182 1; but latterly the opening of the North Hempstead turnpike and several railroads had made other places of more convenient access. There were formerly three inns or houses of entertainment,viz.: Daniel Seely's, who also kept a blacksmith shop; Cheese- man's, and that of the incumbent of the court-house. As the prisoners were then few there were several spare rooms. He also prepared dinners on court days. The lack of accommodations on court days provoked great deal of dissatisfaction among the judges and law- yers, and after a great deal of maneuvering and jobbery it was decided that a court-house and jail should be erected at Long Island City. The new edifice was form- ally turned over to the board of supervisors March 29th 1877. The Legislature had, in 1872, appointed commis- sioners to build it and appropriated $150,000; but in 1875 the Legislature voted $100,000 additional, and put the building in the hands of the supervisors to complete it. The edifice is three stories high, of Roman architect- ure, built of brick with granite trimmings. The interior trimmings are hard wood oiled. The first floor contains the sheriff's and supervisors' rooms, with spacious vaults and also reception rooms. On the second floor is the court-room, and at the sides are the judges' rooms, wait- ing rooms, and rooms for the jurors, grand jury and dis- trict attorney. The jail is in the rear. It will accommo- date 200 prisoners. The entire cost of the building was $276,000, with an addition of $2,500 for gas fixtures and furniture. The building was formally occupied by the sheriff in April 1877. We close this sketch of the civil history of the county with lists of its officers and representatives in legislative bodies. County Judges. — A court of common pleas was estab- lished for the county in 1691. The judge was assisted by two or more justices. Judges were appointed as fol- lows: Thomas Hicks, 1691; John Coe, 1699; Thomas Wil- lett, May 1702; John Coe, July 1710; Thomas Willett, 1723: Isaac Hicks, 1730; David Jones, 1734; Isaac Hicks, April 6th 1738; James Hazard, 1740; Thomas Hicks, November 23d 1748; John Lloyd, February 14th 1784; Benjamin Coe, March 5th 1793; John W. Sea- man, March 13th 1806; Cary Dunn jr., January 26th 1809; Effingham Lawrence, April 23d 1818; James Lent, February 5th 1823; Singleton Mitchell, May 2nd 1829; Benjamin W. Strong, April 8th 1834; David S. Jones, January 17th 1840; Henry I. Hagner, April 1 8th 1843; Isaac E. Haviland, March 5th 1846; William J. Cogswell {vice Hagner, deceased), 1849; Morris Fosdick, November 1849; Elias J. Beach, November 1857; John J. Armstrong (the present judge), November 1865. Surrogates. — Probate of wills was formerly vested in the court of assizes and courts of sessions. In 1692 the governor had this prerogative. In 172T a surrogate was first appointed for Queens county. The incumbents have been as follows: John Bridges, January 4th 1721; John Messenger, October 23d 1735; Samuel Clowes jr., November 23d 1748; Thomas Braine, 1754; Samuel Clowes, 1759; Edward Dawson, April 23d 1767; James Robinson, February 5th 1784; David Lamberson jr., February 24th 1816; John D. Ditmis, June 6th 1820; John W. Seaman, February 14th 1821; Nicholas Wyckoff, March 4th 1826; Henry I. Hagner, April 8th 1834; William J. Cogswell, appointed September 7th 1849, vice Hagner, deceased; Morris Fosdick, November 1849; William H. Onderdonk, November 1865; James W. Covert, November 1869; Alexander Hagner, No- vember 1873; Garret J. Garretson (appointed in place of Hagner, deceased), May 1880; Charles De Kay Town- send, November 1880. County Superintendents of Common Schools (office created April 17th 1843, and abolished March 12th 1847). — Pierpont Potter, 1843; Timothy Titus jr., October 6th 1845. School Commissioners. — Benjamin W. Downing, April 1856. Prior to 1857 school commissioners were ap- pointed by the supervisors; since then they have been elected by the people. Queens county was divided into two districts. The commissioners have been as follows: — 1st District: Benjamin W. Downing, 1858; Charles W. Brown, James W. Covert, William H. Peckham, Eugene M. Lincoln, Andrew T. Provost, Charles E. Surdam; 2nd District: Daniel Clark, 1858; Dr. William D. Wood, Isaac G. Fosdick, Garret J. Garretson, Isaac G. Fosdick. Sheriffs. — Counties were first erected in 1683. Sheriffs for Queens county have been appointed or elected as follows: Thomas Willett, 1683; John Coe, December 13th 1689; John Lawrence, January 19th 1691; John Jackson, March 21st 1691; John Harrison, December 1st, 1692; John Lawrence, 1698; Peter Berrian, 1699; Zachariah Mills, 1700; Thomas Hicks, 1702: Thomas Cardale, 1703; Thomas Jones, 1704; Elbert Willett, 1705; Thomas Cardale, 1706; Thomas Willett, 1707; Cornelius Willett, 1708; William Creed, 1709; John Everett, May 6th 1710; Alexander Baird, 17 12; Benja- min Hicks, 1718; Samuel Willett, 1720; Benjamin Hicks, 1723; Thomas Hicks, 1727; Adam Lawrence, 1735; Henry Hicks, December 15th 1738; Adam Lawrence, 1744; John Van Wyck, 1747; Adam Lawrence, February 10th 1753; Thomas Willett, 1770; Uriah Mitchell, Feb- ruary 4th 1784; Jonah Hallett, February 1st 1788; Dr. Daniel Mirema, February 4th 1792; John Fleet, Febru- ary 4th 1796; John B. Hicks, February 7th 1800; James Mitchell, August nth 1801; Nicholas Wyckoff, February 22nd 1806; John B. Hicks, March 15th 1810; Jonathan Howard, February 8th 1811; John B. Hicks, March 12th 1813; Jonathan Howard, February 13th 1815; Richard Cornell, February 9th 1819; Bernard Bloom, July 10th 1819; Samuel Mott, February 12th 1825; also elected in November 1822, and the following in November of the years mentioned: John Simonson, 1825; Samuel Mott, 1828; John Simonson, 1831; Thomas Tredwell, 1834; El- bert Tredwell, 1837; Jonathan T. Furman, 1840; John A. Searing, 1843; Isaac Willetts, 1846; Robert S. iSeabury, 1849; George S. Downing, 1852; Bernardus Hendrickson, 1855; Joseph Curtis, 1858; Jacob Piatt Carll, 1S61; William Durland, 1864; George Dtirland, 1867; Armstead C. Henry, 1870; Charles A. Sammis, 1873; Benjamin F. Rushmore, 1876; Alonzo li. Wright, 1879. County Clerks were formerly clerks of the common pleas, ot the sessions and of the higher courts. Since 1 82 1 they have been chosen at the November elections. 54 HISTORY OF QUEEN'S COUNTY. 1788; Dr. Samuel L. Mitc hell, 1 791 ; Abraham Monfoort, 1800 03; Jacobus Monfoort, 1808; Robert Moore, 1798, 1799; William Mott, 1798, 1807; Timothy Nostrand, 1822; Hendrick Onderdonk, 1784; William Pearsall, 1796, 1798; Harry Peters, 1794; Joseph Pettit, 1800-2; Samuel Riker, 1784; Colonel John Sands, 1784, 1785; John Schenck, 1787-91; Henry O. Seaman, 1803-8; John \V. Seaman, 1806-8; John L. Skidmore, 1798, 1801; Abraham Skinner, 1784, 1785; John M. Smith, 1796-99; Wessell S. Smith, 1847; Richard Thome, 1787; Nathaniel Tom, 1781-83; Dr. James Townsend, 178487; William Townsend, 1808 11; Thomas Tredwell, 1820-31; John Willis, 1846; Solomon Wooden, 1814, 1815; Samuel Youngs, 1794; Samuel Youngs, 1843, 1844. From 1847 to date: Francis H. Baldwin, 1870; George E. Bulmer, 1877-81; B.Valentine Clowes, 1880; Town- send D. Cock, 1870, 1880; Isaac Coles, 1862; Obadiah J. Downing, 1866; Charles T. Duryea, 1863, 1864; Henry I). Hall, 1862; John S. Hendrickson, 1858; David R. Floyd Jones, 1877, 1878; John Keegan, 1878; Edward A. Lawrence, 1858, 1859; Henry S. Lott, 1863; Charles McNeill, 1864, 1865; John B. Madden, 1868, 1869; James Maurice, 1851, 1866; Robert I. Meeks, 1859; James M. Oakley, 1871-75; Alvin T. Payne, 1876; James B. Pear- sail, 1869, 1870; William E. Pearse, 1879; John Pettit, 1850; L. B. Prince, 1871-75; James Rider, 1855; John A. Searing, 1854; Francis Skillman, 1867, 1868; Sylvanus S. Smith, 1852, 1853; Wessell S. Smith, 1848, 1849; John S. Snedeker, 1850; Seaman N. Snedeker, 1856; Stephen Taber, i860, 1861; John D. Townsend, 1861; William Turner, 1865; William B. Wilson, 1867; William Jones Youngs, 1878, 188c. State Senators. — 1777 to 1846: De Witt Clinton, 1799- 1802, 1806-11; Henry Cruger, 1793-96; John D. Ditmis, 1817-20; Elbert H. Jones, 1813-15; David R. Floyd Jones, 1844-47; Henry Floyd Jones, 1836-39; Dr. John Jones, 1777, 1778; Samuel Jones, 1791 99; John A. King, 1823; John Lawrence, 1788-90; Jonathan Lawrence, Clerks of Queens county have been designated as follows: Wifliam Nicoll, 1683; Andrew Gibb, June 20th 1688; Daniel Denton, December 20th 1689; Andrew Gibb, March 24th 1691; James Clement, deputy. December 1 6th 1693; Joseph Smith, July 1710; Andrew Clark, 1 722; Thomas Jones, February 28th 1757; Whitehead Hicks, deputy, 1757; Samuel Clowes, April 30th 1 781 ; Robert Hinchman, November 1783; Abraham Skinner, February 4th 1764; Daniel Kissam, March 12th 1796; Walter Burling, June 10th 1812; Edward Parker, June 6th 1820; Samuel Sherman, February 4th 1821; Samuel Sherman, 1822 (P. Potter, vice Sherman, resigned]; John Simonson, 1836; Abraham D. Snedeker, 1842; Abraham D. Snede- ker, 1845; John C.Smith, 1848; Martin I.Johnson, 1 851; Monroe Henderson, appointed rice Johnson, deceased, March 29th 1855; Stephen L. Spader, 1855; Elisha B. Baldwin, 1858; Jonah T. Hegeman, 1864; Robert Bur- roughs, 1867; John H. Sutphin 'the present incumbent;, 1870. District Attorneys. — The office was created in iSot. Before that time the attorney general or his assistant of- ficiated in our courts. Nathaniel Lawrence took the po- sition Februarv 1 6th 1796, and Cadwallader Colden Jan- uary 1 6th 1798. In and after 1818 the county had its own prosecuting officer, taking the office as follows: Eli- phalet Wickes, 1818; William T. McCoun, 182 1; Benja min F. Thompson, 1826; William H. Barroll, May 3d 1836; Alexander Hadden,i842; John G. Lamberson, June 16th 1847; William H. Onderdonk, 1853; John J, Arm- strong, 1859; Benjamin W. Downing the present attorney 1866. County Treasurers: John Bowne, 1683; Daniel White- head, 1884 89; William Lawrence, 1700; Cornelius Wil lett, 1714; Benjamin Hicks, 1723; David Jones, 1732; Thomas Hicks, 1747; John Willett; Valentine H. Peters, 1757; Daniel Kissam, 1759; George Townsend, 1783; Mar- tin Schenck, 1787; John M. Smith, 1793; Judge William Ludlum, 1800; Silvanus S. Smith, 181 7 ; Lawrence Denton, 1825; Piatt Willets, 1836; Robert Cornwell, 1848; Lewis W. Angevine, 185 1; Thomas H. Clowes, 1854; Lewis W. Angevine, 1857; Charles A. Roe, 1867; George W. Ber- gen, 1872; G. Edward Carll, 1875; Francis B. Baldwin, 1878. Members of Assembly. — Before the Revolution 1691- 1775): Thomas Cornell, 1737-59, 1761-64; Benjamin Hicks, t 7 25-37 ; Isaac Hicks, 1716-39; Thomas Hicks, 1701,1702; Thomas Hicks 2nd, 1759-61; John Jackson, 1693-1716; David Jones, 1737-61, ^speaker) 1745-52; Daniel Kissam, 1764-75; Nathaniel Pearsall, 769 1; John Robinson, 1691-83; Zebulon Seaman, 1759-75; Jonathan Smith sen., 1701, 1702; John Tallman, 1701, 1709, 1710; John Townsend, 1709, 1710; John Treadwell, 1691; Daniel Whitehead, 1691, 1701-3; Jonathan Whitehead, 1704-9; Thomas Willett, 1701, 1710-25. From the Revolution to the present constitution (1777 -1847): Benjamin Birdsall, 1775-83; Stephen Carman, 1788, 1819; Samuel Clowes, 1789-96; Benjamin Coe, 1777-1806; Whitehead Cornell, 1788-98; Lewis Cornwall, 1796, 1797; Isaac Denton, 1800; John D. Ditmis, 1802, 1804; Daniel Duryea, 1786; Philip Edsall, 1777-82; John Fleet; 1812-14; Jonah Hallett, 1800, 1801; Isaac Hicks, 1792, 1793; John D. Hicks, 1820-23; Elias Hicks, 1839; Jarvis Jackson, 1826, 1827; Thomas B. Jackson, 1833-35; Elbert F. Jones, 1845; Henry F. Jones, 1829; Samuel Jones, 1786-90; William Jones, 1816-26; John A. King, 1819, 1840; Benjamin T. Kissam, 1820-23; Daniel Kis- sam, 1796, 179; Daniel Kissam, 1808, 1819; D. Whitehead Kissam, 1786; Daniel Lawrence, 1777-83; John W. Lawrence, 1841, 1842; Joseph Lawrence, 1784, 1785; Nathaniel Lawrence, 1791-96; Francis Lewis jr., 1777-79, l 19°-9^ Andrew Onderdonk, 1797; John Schenck, 1793-96, 1799-1806; John I. Schenck, 1828-31; Samuel Townsend, 1784-90. From 1847 to date: John Birdsall, 1880, 1 881 ; William Horace Brown, 1850, 1851; Townsend D. Cock, 1872, 1873; Monroe Henderson, 1862, 1863; John A. King, 1874, 1875; Edward A. Lawrence, i860, 1861: James M. Oakley, 1878, 1879; L. Bradford Prince, 1876, 1877; James Rider, 1856, 1857. Delegates to the Provincial Congress and Convention: Jacob Blackwell, Joseph French 'declined], Thomas Hicks, Rev. Abraham Reteltas, Jonathan Lawrence, Daniel Rapelye, Joseph Robinson, Benjamin Sands, Waters Smith, Richard Thorne, Nathaniel Tom, Dr. James Townsend, Samuel Townsend, Cornelius Van Wyck, John Williams, Zebulon Williams. Delegates to Constitutional Conventions. — 1801, to fix the number of senators and assemblymen: De Witt Clinton, James Raynor, John Schenck, John W. Seaman. 182 1, to amend the constitution: Elbert H. Jones, Rufus King, Nathaniel Seaman. 1788, to ratify the federal constitu- tion: Stephen Carman, Samuel Jones, Nathaniel Law- rence, John Schenck. 1846, John L. Riker. 1867, to revise the organic laws of the State: Solomon Townsend. 1872, constitutional commission, John J. Armstrong. United States Senators. — John Lawrence, appointed November 9th 1796; De Witt Clinton, appointed Febru- ary 9th 1802; Rufus King, appointed February 2nd 1813, and January 3d 1820. Representatives in Congress. — Thomas B. Jackson, 1837- EARLY SCHOOLS. 55 41; John Lawrence, 1789-93; John W.Lawrence, 1845- 47; James Lent, 1829-33; Samuel Riker, 1807-09, 1813- 15; George Townsend, 1815-19; Dr. James Townsend, r 79 1-93 ; Luther C. Carter, 1859-61; James W. Covert, 1877-81; John A. King, 1849-51; James Maurice, l8 53"55; Stephen Taber, 1865-69; Dr. William W. Valk, 1 5 -5 7 ; Perry Belmont, 1882-84. Presidential Electors. — 1860, William C. Bryant (at large), John A. King latter also in 1872); 1876, Parke Godwin. Governor, John Alsop King, 1857, 1858. Lieutenant Governor, David R. F. Jones; also secretary of state i860, 1861. CHAPTER II. EARLY SCHOOLS AND STUDIES — THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ACADEMIES. T and long after the settlement of Queens county education was left to take care of itself. No public recognition of its utility or ^) any act enforcing or encouraging it is any where recorded. The teachers, or " masters " as they were then called, were usually single men from the " old country," England, Scot- land or Ireland. They were itinerants, hired for a quarter or so in one place and then passing on to another. Too often they were given to drink and kept " blue Monday." They were usually good penmen and arith- meticians. Grammar, geography and history were not then thought of. They were professors of the " three R's," Reading, 'Riting and 'Rithemetic. The alphabet was taught the tyro by naming the letters in the column from A to Z, the master pointing to each with his pen- knife, and boxing the ears of dunces who could not re- collect the names after being told a score of times. In- deed one or even two quarters were often spent before the learner had mastered the alphabet. The child was next put to joining letters, as a-b, ab; b-a, ba; and thus he went on in his spelling book for a quarter more, wear- ing out the leaves as he proceeded. If he was not a dull fellow at the end of a year he began to read, and then school life was more enjoyable; but the memory was cultivated to the neglect of the understanding, and that for long years after; and in some schools almost to the present time. In these days of academies, union schools, high schools and institutes the modern schoolboy loses the chance of those pleasant reminiscences of schoolboy days that have been the theme of many a sentimental story. The poetry, the romance is all gone save in a very few se- questered nooks of our county. In olden times the school-house was the least pretentious of all buildings. No idea of ornamentation or embellishment of any kind seemed to occur to our forefathers in the erection of churches and school-houses, yet around them cling many pleasant and happy memories. Money paid out for education was paid too often grudgingly. It was felt, like other taxes, to be a grievance that could not be avoided. The school-houses then were not painted in- side or out, nor were the walls or ceiling plastered. The wide old-fashioned fire-place was after a while supplanted by a close Dutch stove, which strove — sometimes in vain — to overcome the cold that rushed in with the wind through many a crevice in the floor and wainscot. The wood for fuel was supplied in a loose way. Usually each parent in rotation carted a load, which the larger boys were expected to cut up as wanted from day to day. The smaller boys carried it in. The fire was started in the morning by the first comer, who borrowed the coals in a foot-stove from the nearest house. In cold weather the boys huddled around the stove till nearly noon, when the room would begin to get comfortably warm. In winter, when the larger boys (some of them 19 or 20 years old) attended school, the larger girls staid at home; but in summer they went to school with the smaller boys. The girls were required to sweep the school-room about once a week; and once a month (or not so often) there was a grand scrubbing time, the boys bringing the water and the girls cleansing the floor with brooms. Two boys with a pail suspended from a stick between them usually troubled some neighboring well for water twice a day. The marked peculiarity of those days was the respect and deference with which children were taught to treat their " superiors " or elders. As soon as a respectable person was seen approaching on the road the boys and girls arranged themselves in distinct rows by the road- side and "made their manners " to him, who returned the salutation with an inclination of the head and an ap- proving smile, often adding some pleasant words. One of the by-laws of the academy at Jamaica (in 1792) re- quired that "when the tutor or any gentleman comes in or goes out of the school-room, every scholar shall rise up with a respectful bow; and they shall treat all men, especially known superiors, with the greatest modesty and respect." The boys sat separately, but usually recited in one class, so far as classes were formed (which was chiefly in spelling and reading); for in those days classification was hardly attempted and not so much needed as at present, for the circle of knowledge was confined mostly to reading, writing and arithmetic. But the limited range of the sciences was the cause of their being well taught. The old proverb said: " Beware of a man of one book." As school books were not various there was but little choice, and thus one book was a text book for successive gener- ations of children. Indeed, one girl, who went to a boarding school in Brooklyn in 181 2, afterward went to Oyster Bay Academy and found the same text books used in both schools. The elementary book used was the primer (so named from the Latin primarius, first book),_but_as that had a scanty supply of spelling lessons, and led the learner too abruptly from spelling to reading (and was originally in HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. tended for a book of religious teaching), Dilworth's spell- ing book took its place. Thomas Dilworth's speller was a good book in its day, bdt after the Revolutionary war Noah Webster's spelling book was gradually adopted; not that it was better, but because it was American. Dilworth was a pious teacher at Wapping, in England, about 1740. He was the author of a system of book- keeping and an arithmetic also, which after a 30-years struggle was supplanted by Nathan Daboll's arithmetic. Arithmetic was not taught in classes, but each scholar plodded on by himself and when his slate was full of sums he showed it to the master. They were then copied into a " ciphering book." Originally the teacher alone had the printed arithmetic, which was therefore called the " Schoolmaster's Assistant," as it supplied him with examples and their solutions or answers. After a while the scholars gradually for convenience bought their own arithmetics, which relieved the teacher of the labor of setting the scholar's sums on a slate. In many cases the master wrote out the wording of the sum in the ciphering book, and when the scholar had performed it correctly he copied the figures into the ciphering book. The reading books were more varied. After the easy lessons of the spelling book had been well learned there came the Psalter, Testament and Bible. The Old Testa- ment was for more advanced readers. The other books were: the Child's Instructor, the Young Gentleman and Lady's Monitor; then came the American Preceptor and Lindley Murray's series of readers, viz. the Intro- duction, the English Reader and the Sequel. Noah Webster published a Grammatical Institute of the English language in three parts, the spelling book, reader and grammar. Only the first kept its ground. The " spelling class " was a feature of those days. All the scholars were arranged or stood in a long room and " went up and down " according as they spelled. The practice seemed to produce good spellers and fed the ambition of the school as nothing else did. The "old country " masters were succeeded by those from New England, who if not so good arithmeticians were of a more religious turn of mind, and introduced some novelties, such as writing compositions, the study of English grammar and elocution. Some of these knew enough of music to start singing schools and could take part in a prayer meeting. In this way many had the entree into respectable farmers' families. School usually commenced at 8 o'clock in summer and 9 in winter, and, with a noon spell of one hour, was let out at 4 p. m. An intermission or recess during school hours was not yet in fashion. When a boy wished to go out of doors he said to the master: " May I go out?" He then passed out, first turning a " block " that hung by the door, marked on its opposite sides "In, " " Out." Grammar was not taught in those days intelligently, for the master did not comprehend the science. He set the pupil at memorizing the words all the way through the book. The nature of parsing or analyzing was a mystery to him. The scholar often could recite the words of his grammar by heart, and there his knowledge ended. There was a treatise on grammar by questions and answers printed at the end of Dilworth's &: Webster's spelling books but written on the basis of Latin grammar. In the stat- utes of the academy at Jamaica, in 1792, it is ordered that "the text book for English grammar shall be Web- ster's, to be read or repeated by memory." Navigation (as well as surveying) was taught in some of those old common schools, for many of the young men in those days went to sea, some as supercargoes and some as sailors; some studied medicine, sailed to the West Indies, practiced there till they accumulated a fortune, and then returned home. Latterly geography was taught, but almost always without maps or globes, or if maps were to be found in the books they were of one color, very small and indis- tinct in boundaries. The ponderous and clumsy octavos of Guthrie and Salmon were the first text books used. In time they were superseded by Morse's. Dwight's geog- raphy by questions and answers was used, and did good service as a reading book. Next came in succession Willett's grammar of geography, Woodbridge &: Willard's, where the pictorial element was found to be valuable. In 1792 the use of globes (a pair having been imported from London), book-keeping, oratory, logic and chronology, with Blair's " rhetorick," Stone's Euclid, Martin's ge- ometry, and Warden's mathematics are named as subjects of study in the academy at Jamaica. The sports of schoolboy days were ball playing, tag, puss-in-the-corner, playing horse, racing, jumping, hop- ping, pitching quoits, tetering, skating, sliding on the ice, running down hill on sleighs and snowballing, for then we had notable snow storms. The roads were drifted full, and the fences covered with snowbanks drifted in grace- ful curves and fantastic forms by the fickle winds. The girls in summer had their innocent sports too. At noon-spell, if they did not saunter over the fields and along the hedges for flowers and berries, they would play " keeping house and returning visits." They had their " baby houses," enclosed with a row of stones, as may be seen on the roadside even at this day in remote districts. They also joined in some of the gentler sports with the boys. When it rained they made " mud pies " along the road. The school-boy at his studies sat on an oaken bench without back, swinging his feet to and fro for want of a foot rest. The master kept a hickory whip or some pliant twig lying on his desk, which was usually applied across the back or shoulders. Some had a long, broad ruler called a " ferule," which being smartly slapped on the palm of the hand left a stinging sense of pain. The more civilized punishments, such as standing on one leg, holding out a billet of wood at arm's length, wearing a fool's cap, committing some lines to memory, or deten- tion after school hours had not yet come in vogue. Pulling the hair, pinching the ear, or giving a fillip with the middle finger were favorite punishments with some masters. There were then no steel pens, no ruled paper, no ready-made writing books. The master had to keep a THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ACADEMIES— RACE COURSES. 5 7 sharp knife to make, mend and nib the pens made from goose-quills; also a leaden plummet and ruler to rule the writing books. Each writer contributed a penny to buy a paper of Walkden's famous ink powder, which, mixed with a gill of vinegar and three gills of rain or river water, made a pint of ink, which was distributed in pewter or earthen inkstands. Beside these common schools, which were pretty evenly dotted about the country, there were in the more thickly settled villages classical and boarding schools, where boys could learn the higher branches of education and be prepared for college. Such were kept at Hemp- stead by the successive rectors of the Episcopal church from 1760 to 1816, and at Newtown and Jamaica also. Parish schools were supported at irregular periods by the help of the British Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. In these the church catechism was taught. Thus, while the well-to-do people had their children well educated, it is to be supposed the poorer classes grew up in ignorance. Yet some of them who could neither read, write nor cipher managed their business very well and prospered, for we know of one who filled the office of sheriff very creditably, and that recently. After the Revolutionary war academies were incor- porated on the island — one at Easthampton in 1784, one at Flatbush in 1787 and one at Jamaica in 1792. The last was named Union Hall, from being built by a joint subscription of Newtown, Flushing and Jamaica. At Oyster Bay an academy was established in 1802, with Marmaduke Earle as principal. In 1806 Hamilton Hall was opened in Flushing; in 1818 Christ Church Academy was erected at Manhasset. In 1828 the Flushing Insti- tute was started by the Rev. Dr. Muhlenberg. That was followed in 1840 by St. Paul's College; in 1838 by St. Thomas Hall, under Rev. Dr. Hawks, and in 1839 by St. Ann's Hall for girls, under care of Rev. Dr. Schroeder. For female education the facilities were limited. There were indeed " dames' schools " scattered here and there, under irresponsible teachers and usually short- lived. They taught the smaller children of both sexes, sewing and needle-work being sometimes added. But for a thorough education the girls had to resort to the public schools or academies and be classed with the boys. The richer sort either had teachers in their families or sent their daughters to select boarding schools in New York or Brooklyn, where they could learn dancing, music, drawing and embroidery, with all other accom- plishments. The first female academy in Queens county was estab- lished at Jamaica in 1816, under Mrs. Barnum and Miss Bartlette, and it has continued to this day. Since then private schools for girls have rapidly spread throughout the county. In 1 8 1 3 the towns of Queens county were divided into school districts, with trustees who raised a sum at least equal to that given by the State for the support of a qualified teacher. The supervision of the schools was cumbersome, each town selecting three school commis- sioners and three inspectors. The teacher by conniv- ance was often allowed (or soon forced) to take the school " on his own hook." In 1843 the office of county superintendent of com- mon schools was created. Pierpont Potter held the office till October 6th 1845, when Timothy Titus jr. suc- ceeded him. In 1856, the office of county superintendent having been abolished, commissioners of common schools were elected. Soon after the county was divided into two districts. The Queens County Sunday-school Association was formed in 187 1. The present officers are: President, A. H Downer; corresponding secretary, Joseph Bern- hard; treasurer, Adam Seabury. CHAPTER III. THE CRADLE OF AMERICAN HORSE-RACING- COURSERS OF OLD. -COURSES AND HE county of Queens has been of old famous for its two race-courses, New Market and Beaver Pond. . Daniel Denton before 1670 says : " Toward the middle of Long Island lyeth a plain 16 miles long and 4 broad, where you shall find neither stick nor stone to hinder the horses' heels, or endanger them in their races; and once a year the best horses in the Island are brought hither to try their swiftness, and the swiftest rewarded with a silver cup, two being annually procured for that purpose." A London book (1776) says: "These Plains were celebrated for their races throughout all the Colonies and even in England. They were held twice a year for a silver cup, to which the gentry of New England and New York resorted." The first course was established on Salisbury Plains, near the present Hyde Park station. Governor Nicolls in 1665 appointed a horse-race to take place in Hemp- stead, " not so much for the divertisement of youth as for encouraging the bettering of the breed of horses, which through great neglect has been impaired." Governor Lovelace also appointed by proclamation, about 1669, that trials of speed should take place in the month of May in each year, and that rubscriptions be taken and sent to Captain Salisbury, of all such as were disposed to run for a crown of silver or the value thereof in wheat. This course, named New Market (and in 1764 called " the new course ") from one in England, was in the course of years (perhaps in 1S04J removed under the same name to a large level field east of the old court- house, and there continued till about 1821, when horse- racing was transferred to the Union course, on the western borders of Jamaica, after the passing of an act by the Legislature allowing of trials of speed in Queens 8 5« HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. county for a term of years, during the months of May and October. In 1834 the time was extended for 15 years more, the racing to be between April 1st and June 15th and from September 1st to November 15th yearly. This course, over a mile in circuit, was on a level sur- face, with a nearly oval track. Connected with it was a jockey club of above 250 members, who contributed $20 each yearly to the "jockey club purses." This course was afterward owned by the "Union Associa- tion," capital $100,000, formed upon the act of the Legislature of August 2nd 1858. On the 27th of May 1823 was run over this course a match race of four-mile heats for $20,000 a side, between "Eclipse," 9 years old, bred by General Nathaniel Coles, of Dosoris, and carrying 126 pounds, and " Sir Henry," 4 years old, carrying 108 pounds, bred in North Carolina. " Eclipse" won in three heats. It is supposed that §200,000 was lost and won on the exciting occasion, and that from forty to sixty thousand people were at the race. On May 10th 1842 there was another match for $20,000 a side on this course, between the Virginia horse " Boston," 9 years old, and carrying 126 pounds, and the New Jersey mare " Fashion," 5 years old, and carrying 1 1 1 pounds. " Fash- ion " won in two heats. From fifty to seventy thousand spectators were computed to be present, including a great many ladies. There was a trotting course formed in 1825 at Centre- ville, a mile southeast of the Union course. A railroad now runs through it. Here on October 4th 1847 "Albany Girl " was matched for §250 to perform 100 miles in har- ness in to consecutive hours. She broke down after traveling 97)2 miles in 9^2 hours. May 31st 1854 the National Association or " National Race-course," with a capital of $250,000, was formed ; and November 26th 1855 the " Fashion Association " was formed at Newtown, under the act of the Legislature for improving the breed of horses, passed April 15th 1854. The " Fashion course " was broken up in 1865 by hav- ing the Flushing Railroad pass through it. There was a famous race-course of a mile in length around Beaver Bond in Jamaica. The date of its first establishment seems unknown ; but it was before 1757, for in that year, on June 13th, the New York subscription plate was run for and won by Lewis Morris junior's horse " American Childers." These races were held spring and autumn yearly till or after the close of the last century. There were other inferior race-courses; one at New- town (1758), one (1 781) at Timothy Cornell's Poles, Hempstead, and another at Captain Polhemus's, New Lots, 1778. There were also several races of the "Huckleberry Frolic " in Hempstead, and they are con- tinued to this day. We annex some old advertisements which will show something of the spirit and tastes of the earlier sporting characters. 1750, June 4th. — On Friday last there was a great horse-race on Hempstead Plains, which engaged the at- tention of so many of the city of New York that upwards of seventy chairs and chaises were carried over Brooklyn ferry the day before, besides a far greater number of horses. The number of horses on the plains, it was thought, far exceeded one thousand. — N. Y. Postboy. 1758, November 10th. — A purse of £\q is to be run for at Newtown on December 5th, the best of three heats, one mile each. Entrance, one dollar, to be paid the day before the race to Daniel Bctts. — N. Y. Mercury. 1763. — New York Free Masons' Purse of $100 to be run for April 25th, the best two of three heats, each heat three times round Beaver Pond, Jamaica, each horse to carry nine stone weight and to be entered with Mr. Thomas Braine, paying 30s. entrance. The entrance money to be run for next day — the whole to be under the inspection of three Free Masons. — New York Mer- cury. 1764. — To be run for, Apiil 12th, on the new track on Hempstead Plains a purse of §50, the best of three four- mile heats, each horse carrying nine stone and paying 50s. entrance or double at the post. On Friday a purse of ^20 and upwards, free C'ir h.ilf-bred horses only, six years: old and under, carrying eight stone, the best of three two mile heats. Horses to be entered with Mr. John Comes, Jamaica. Not less than three reputed horses to start, and to be subject to the King's plale articles. Judges will be appointed to terminate all disputes. — N. Y. Mercury. 1764. — New Market Races — To be run for, over the new course, Monday October 8th, a purse of ^50, free for any horse carrying nine stone, the best of three two-mile heats. On Tuesday a purse of £20, free for any horse bred in the province of New York. Entrance at Mr. John Combs, Jamaica. Certificates, under the hands of the breeders, must be produced, of the ages and qualifi- cations of the horses that run on Tuesday. — N. Y. Mer- cury. 1764, October 9th. — Purse, ^50. — Races at New Mar- ket, by Mr. Smith's bay horse " Hero," Mr. Thome's grey horse " Starling," and Mr. Leary's bay horse "Old England." All imported from England. " Starling " gained the first and second heats with ease. — N. Y. Mer- cury. 1765, March 25th. — To be run for round Beaver Pond, at Jamaica, Thursday May 2nd, a piece of plate of ^20 value, free for any horse bred in this government, carry- ing ten stone. The horses to start at the distance-post and run twice round, and as far as the Tree the third round, for each heat — the best two of three heats. The entrance money to be run for next day by all but the winning and distanced horses. Entrance with John Comes ios., or double at the post. — New York Mercury. 1768. — New Market Races, Friday October 21st; purse, ^50. The best of three four- mile heats, free for any horse. Saturday, a purse of ^50 for four-year-old horses; 50s. entrance. Horses to be shown and entered at the starting post the day before running, in presence of the judges. Disputes will be decided by a majority of the subscribers present. The winning horse each day to pay 50s. to put the course in order. No less than three reputed horses to be allowed to start, at 12 o'clock each day. — N. Y. Mercury. 1 77 1, September 12th. — The purse of .£100, by the Macaroni Club, was run for at New Market last Monday, by Mr. Delancey's horse " Lath " and Mr. Waters 's horse " Liberty," which was won with great ease by the former. As a field could not be made the next day for the purse of ^50, the matter was postponed until the next season. RACING IN THE LAST CENTURY— FORESTS. 59 1772. — Races — The Macaroni purse of ^"ioo, at New Market, June 2nd, was won by Captain Delancey's "Bashaw," beating Mr. Richard Thome's mare " Rain- bow," and Mr. Waters's "Slouch." The ^50 purse, next day, was won by Mr. Waters's horse " King Herod," who beat Captain Delancey's filly. — A r . Y. Gazette. 1778, October 14th. — The races at Captain Polhemus's, New Lots, are changed to Jamaica. Purse, 20 guineas. 1 779> Jamaica Races, October 26th. — 20 guineas, 3 heats; around Beaver Pond course twice to each heat. 1779, November 6th. — New Market Races, Hempstead Plains, on Wednesday; a purse of 20 guineas; the best of three two-mile circular heats, free for any horse ex- cept " Dulcimore." Also a bet of 100 guineas, one two- mile heat, "Cyrus" and "Doctor." A match between the noted horse " Dulcimore " and the roan gelding " Kettlebander," for 400 guineas, two miles. God save the King! 1 781, March 14th. — Fifty Joes to be run for by " Eclipse " and " Sturdy Beggar," at Captain Tim. Cor- nell's Poles, Hempstead Plains, a single two-mile heat. 1782, October 19th. — To be run for around Beaver Pond, a purse of ^50; the best two in three one-mile heats, free for any horse except "Mercury," " Slow-and- Easy " and " Goldfinder." One guinea entrance, to be paid at the sign of the King's Arms, Jamaica. 1 783, June 28th. — To be run for Wednesday next around Beaver Pond, a purse of 100 guineas by the noted mare "Calfskin " and the noted horse "Lofty," of Bos- ton. 1783. — A match for 200 guineas, May 29th, over New Market course, Hempstead Plains, between John Talman's Eclipse " and Jacob Jackson's " Young Slow and Easy," the best two in three-four-mile heats. 1785, May 5th. — New Market Races — Will be run for, on June 4th, the Hunters' subscription purse and sweep- stakes of ten guineas each. June 6th — a whip to be run for, presented by the sportsmen of the army and navy, and the name of the winning horse to be engraved on it, No horse that has not been a fortnight in training on Hempstead course can run. 1785, October 19th. — Last Friday were the sweepstakes over Beaver Pond, Jamaica. Heats one mile by The black horse " Ariel," - - - - 1 1 Bay mare " Matchless," - - - - 3 2 The gelding "Sloven," - 4 3 The horse " Brilliant," - - - - 2 4 The second heat was admirably disputed and won by a neck, from the mare, which was the proud winner a few months ago. 1786. — Far Rockaway Races, Wednesday September 6th, at 3 i'. m., on that convenient and spacious ground (a mile course) near Jacob Hicks's inn. ^20, the best three of two-mile heats. The next day a £\o purse, the best three of one-mile heats. No crossing, jostling or foul play countenanced, or if detected the rider will be pro- nounced distanced. J. H., from a wish to gratify a num- ber of gentlemen who visit his house, particularly sports- men, is induced to set on foot so noble and manly a diversion, and wishes the same principle may excite gen- tlemen to contribute to the purse. 1794, October 8th. — The Beaver Por.d races took place on Tuesday last. Six horses ran for the purse of ^100. " Polydore," of New York, took the first and second heat and purse. On Wednesday a purse of ^,50 was run for by seven horses, and taken by " Young Messenger," from New Jersey, over " Gold Toes," of New York, who won the first heat. On Thursday a purse of ,£47 10s. was run for by six horses, and taken by " Red Bird." There were between two and three thousand spectators and no accident happened. — N. Y. Journal. 1795. October 31st — At the New Market course, on Wednesday last, was a match race for $500 by Mr. Sea- bury's horse " Polydore " and Mr. Allen's mare " Virginia Nell." The latter won. They ran the two four-mile heats. The running was equal, if not superior, to any before. " Polydore " has traveled too much of late. — N Y. Journal. CHAPTER IV. THE TIMBER GROWTH OF QUEENS COUNTY ITS USES- THE NURSERY GROWTHS. HEN first visited by Europeans Queens county appears to have been well wooded, with occasional clearings, except that Hempstead Plains, 16 miles long and 4 broad, were covered with a luxuriant growth of wild grass and a humble shrubbery of oak and other forest trees that were mere dwarfs in stature. Denton, writing in 1670, says: " The greatest part of the isiand is very full of timber, as oaks white and red, walnut trees, chestnut trees, maples, cedars, saxifrage, beech, birch, holly, hazel, with many sorts more. For wild beasts there is bear, deer, wolves, foxes, raccoons and great store of wild fowl, as turkeys, heath- hens, quails, partridges, cranes, ducks, brant, widgeons, pigeons, teal, geese of several sorts; and on the south side lie great store of whales, grampuses and seals." Two-thirds of the Indians had already become extinct. The cutting down of trees has in several places dimin- ished and even dried up the primitive streams. The felling of trees, and clearing up woodlands being often done in an irregular and wasteful manner, the several towns soon found it necessary to enact sundry regula- tions. To illustrate their way of proceeding it will be necessary to make some extracts from the old records. In selling land to the early settlers the Indians at Ja- maica stipulated that one thing to be remembered by the whites was that they should not cut down trees " wherein eagles do make their nests." In 1656 it was ordered that " whosoever fells trees in the highway shall remove them." All persons 16 years of age and upwards were required in 1674 to cut down brush about the town or forfeit 5 shillings each time, In [691, August 5th, "it is ordered that the brush be cut off 4 days in the year by every landholder, under penalty of 3 pence a day for de- faulters." At Oyster Bay the town voted (June 30th 1684) that the townspeople turn out and "cut the brush, and that there be a forfeit of 5 shillings per day for each man de- fective." In 1686, February 13th, the town ordered that Go HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. " no trees be cut down or felled in the streets or com- mon, under 5 shillings penalty for each tree; but any one may lop a tree growing before his door or by his fence, that may be an annoyance, provided he don't kill the tree." November 10th 1693 "trees, saplings, brush- wood fallen or cast upon or across the road (whereby people are forced to turn out of the road, many in much danger) are to be cleared off in 3 days; then to be cleared off entirely in 20 days after the date of such annoyance, under penalty of 20 shillings for every tree." In Newtown January 30th 1668 the town voted that any inhabitant might fall timber for his own use in unin- closed land; but none should cart wood or timber for strangers to the water side, the forfeit being 10 shillings per load. December 2nd 1676, the town ordered that " no one shall transport timber except fire-wood out of the town." In Hempstead it was voted in 1708 that " if any person should girdle or peel the bark of any stand- ing tree on the undivided lands he shall pay 6 shillings in money," and in 181 2 a committee was appointed " to prevent undue waste of timber and trees standing on the common lands." The forest trees were cut down not only for timber for framing buildings and fuel; but also, after the erection of saw-mills, staves and heading were shipped to the West Indies to make molasses, rum and sugar hogsheads; clap- boards, shingles, boards and planks were in demand for building purposes; ship timber was needed for the ship yards in New York and Long Island. Immense quantities of wood were sent by market-boats to New York, where it was the chief fuel till the introduction of anthracite coal, about 1825. Indeed the persistent clearing off of woodlands threatens to dry up our streams and change our climate. The wasteful consumption of wood in the wide open fire-places of our ancestors can hardly be conceived of by the present generation, who sit in close rooms kept warm by patent stoves day and night. The destruction of the native growth of timber has been one of the causes promoting the nursery business, which has grown to such remarkable dimensions. The different nurseries are treated of in the histories of their localities. The advantage of so many nurseries in this county is perceived in the large number of superior var- ieties of apples and pears, and still more in the general planting of shade and ornamental trees. Few counties can compare with Queens in beautiful parks and door- yards, and no house is deemed complete unless sur- rounded with handsome shade trees and evergreens, in- terspersed with flowering shrubs and beds of flowers. There are few desirable shade trees indigenous to the local forests. A few ash, elm, tulip and liquidamber or sweet gum trees are found in the woods, but the chief supply must come from other parts, as the native oak, chestnut and hickory will rarely repay transplanting. The best variety that is adapted to the soil of the middle States, enduring winter's cold and summer's drouth, is the Norway maple. Leaving out early in spring, bearing pretty yellow flowers, it holds its leaves perfect until the late autumn frosts gradually disrobe it. The next is the silver or white maple, of quick erect growth, which is more planted than any other. Sycamore and sugar maple in suitable soil thrive well. The noble American elm — the classic tree of New England — and basswood or American linden have their admirers, and none are of more rapid growth or more symmetrical than the tulip tree. Passing on to the evergreens, it is remarked by strangers how many evergreens are planted on Long Island. The pines, erect and widespreading, intermixed with Norway spruces, enliven many a winter home and rob stern win- ter of its bleakness. Few are the country houses around which the eveegreens, in hedge or windbreak, do not defy the northern blast. There is no hedge more beautiful than the hemlock, properly trimmed. Arbor vitaes, both Ameri- can and European, are largely planted for this purpose. Evergreens are often planted in August and September, but most prefer April and May. Unlike deciduous trees, their leaves evaporate moisture continually, and if it is very dry soon after they are planted they often perish, with all the care generally bestowed in their planting. Many flowering trees are now planted. The varieties of hardy trees of this description are numerous! The Chinese magnolia in full bloom is magnificent; the horse- chestnuts, both white and red, please the eyes of all; the flowering thorn, cherry, peach and plum, with the grace- ful new weeping willows, help to make a pleasing variety, and the purple beech pleasingly contrasts with all these if arranged in good taste in regard to effect and color. CHAPTER V. HISTORY OF THE QUEENS COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. HERE were three series of fairs established in succession in Queens county. The first was in 1693, after the English custom: "To remedy the inconvenience of a want of cer- tain market days, and that trade may be bet- ter encouraged, the General Assembly of the colony of New York enact that a public and open market be held at Jamaica every Thursday for sale or barter, in gross or retail, of cattle, grain, victuals, provis- ions and other necessities, and of all sorts of merchandise, from 8 o'clock a. m. till sunset, wilhout payment of toll." A fair at Jamaica, beginning on the first Tuesday in May and the third Tuesday in October, and continuing four days, was also established. A governor and ruler of the fair was to hold a court of pypowdcr (as it was called) " to limit out an open place where horses and other cattle may be sold," to appoint a toll gatherer to take nine pence for every horse sold, and to enter in a book its mark and color, and the name and dwelling place of the parties to the bargain. In 1728 the fair opened on May 6th and continued EARLY AGRICULTURAL FAIRS. four days, during which there were exposed for sale a variety of goods and merchandise and several fine horses. A lion also was on show to enhance the interest of the occasion. We know nothing further of the success or continuance of this fair, except that in May 1774 John Rapelye was governor and superintendent, and that Robert Brooks was clerk of two fairs for Queens county, to be held at Jamaica on the first Tuesday in May and the third Tuesday in October, each to continue four days. A meeting for the formation of an agricultural society for Queens county was held at the old court-house near Mineola on November nth 1817. Of this Lewis S. Hew- lett was chairman and John I. Cromwell secretary. Its object was to improve the method of farming, the raising of stock and rural economy. To the committee were added Garrett Laton, Major William Jones and Henry O. Seaman. The society was organized June 21st 1819, by electing Rufus King president; Effingham Lawrence, Singleton Mitchell and William Jones, vice-presidents; Rev. David S. Bogart, corresponding secretary; Thomas Philips, recording secretary, and Daniel Kissam, treas- urer. The first exhibition was held at the court-house on the first Tuesday in November 1819. Premiums to the amount of $200 were awarded for corn, potatoes, ruta- baga turnips, cloths, cattle, sheep, swine, and one four- year-old gelding. No imported animal was exhibited. In 1820 more persons were assembled at the fair than on any previous occasion. Premiums were awarded (among others) to Rufus King for the best milch cow, to Joseph Onderdonk for rutabagas, and to Townsend Cock for his celebrated horse " Duroc." In 1 82 1 the exhibition list was increased, and premiums to the amount of $369 were awarded for potatoes, wheat, rye, flax, barley, carpets, mittens, stockings, etc. To Henry Covert $10 was allowed for a garden plough and machines for planting beans and sowing turnip seed; and to Garrett Laton $10 for the most cloth made in one family, viz.: 202 yards of woolen and 363 yards of linen. There was a varied display of domestic animals. At the last fair in 1822 specimens of cotton were exhibited by Colonel Leverich, of Newtown. Tunis D. Covert, of Jamaica South, raised 60 hills, and Daniel C. Coles, of Oyster Bay, raised cotton sufficient to make 20 yards of muslin. In addition to the usual articles, kidney pota- toes, working oxen, Indian corn and linen sheetings were on exhibition. The premiums reached the sum of $263.50. An address was delivered by Judge Effingham Lawrence, who was introduced to the audience assembled in the court-house by a few prefatory remarks from Rufus King, president of the society. This was the last meet- ing of the society. It failed from a lack of interest in the farming community. The present Queens County Agricultural Society originated at a meeting of the executive committee of the New York State Agricultural Society, held at William Niblo's in New York city July 21st 1841, when a com- mittee was appointed, of the following persons, to solicit 61 donations and new members to the society, and to make arrangements for the organization of an agricultural so- ciety for Queens county: Newtown, Grant Thorburn, Garret Cowenhoven; Flushing, John W. Lawrence, Ef- fingham Lawrence; North Hempstead, Singleton Mitchell, Robert W. Mott; Oyster Bay, John Wells, Albert G. Carll; Hempstead, John Bedell, Edward H. Seaman; Jamaica, William R. Gracie, John Johnson. On October 2nd 1841 a meeting was held at the court- house. Singleton Mitchell was called to the chair and Albert G. Carll appointed secretary; when it was unani- mously resolved that " it is expedient to form an agricul- tural society in this county," and that a committee of one person from each town be appointed to report a consti- tution. The chair appointed Robert W. Mott, John G. Lamberson, Effingham Lawrence, Thomas B. Jackson, John Johnson and Albert G. Carll. On October 9th 1841 the society was organized, with the following offi- cers: Effingham Lawrence, president; George Nostrand, William Henry Carter, Thomas B. Jackson, Piatt Willets, Singleton Mitchell and George D. Coles, vice-presidents; Albert G. Carll, corresponding secretary; John G. Lam- berson, recording secretary; Djniel K. Youngs, treasurer. The first circular was issued March 21st 1842, with this appeal to the people of the county: " We ask ycu to unite with the society and give it your encouragement; and not let it be said that the farmers of Queens county have not sufficient spirit to keep an agricultural society in existence." Arrangements were made to hold the first fair on Thursday October 13th 1842, at Anderson's hotel, in Hempstead, and Vice-Chancellor McCoun was invited to deliver the address. On the appointed day a procession of the Hempstead band, clergy, orator, officers and mem- bers of the society and citizens generally was formed and marched from the hotel to the Methodist church, which was well filled. An ode composed by William Cullen Bryant was sung, prayer made and the address delivered. The receipts for the year, including $91 given by the State, amounted to $338, of which about $250 was awarded in premiums. The second fair was also held at Hempstead, October 17th, 1843, over 6,000 persons being present, and another of Bryant's odes was sung under a tent erected in the yard of the hotel, which proved much too small for the proper display of the flowers, grain, fruits and needle- work. The receipts were $368.85, including $91 from the State; about $350 was paid in premiums. Daniel S. Dickinson addressed the people, standing in a wagon drawn up to the door of the tent. At a sumptuous din- ner, got up by Anderson, the orator was welcomed to Queens county and his health proposed in an eloquent speech, which was happily responded toby the lieutenant governor. The third fair was held at Jamaica October 10th 1S44. The trustees and teachers were thanked for the use of Union Hall Academy, where fruits, vegetables, domestic articles and works were displayed. The receipts, includ- 62 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. ing $91 from the State, were $410 12. Gabriel Furman gave the address in the Presbyterian church. The cattle grounds were on Union Hall street. The fourth fair was held at Hempstead, October 9th 1 845. A large tent and shed were erected on a lot opposite the Episcopal parsonage. Owing to the rainy weather the receipts were only $201.81, including $gT from the State. Henry W. Piatt exhibited 56 varieties of apples and Jacob Williams 61. Some specimens of old continental money and an inkstand used by William Penn were on exhibition. J. S. Skinner made the ad- dress in the open air. The fifth fair was held at Flushing, October 9th 1846, when and where the American Institute, of New York, held a plowing and spading match. There was a band of music from Governor's Island. The performers and delegates rode through the village in a wagon tastefully decorated and drawn by 36 yoke of oxen. The exhibi- tion tent was decked with flowers from Flushing's far- famed nurseries. Dr. Gardiner gave the address in the Reformed church. The receipts were $349.20. Book premiums were now first given. Stock was allowed to be sold after the exhibition was over. The net receipts for 1847-8 were only $175. The fair of 1849, at Flushing, somewhat improved the finances, the receipts being $445.27; but many premiums remained unpaid, and a voluntary subscription had to be taken up to pay them. A tent only 50 feet in diameter contained nearly all the articles exhibited at Hempstead in 1850. The cattle were put in a field near the place of exhibition and the horses were shown on the turnpike. The receipts were $591.66, there having been a large accession of members, especially from Jamaica. The fairs were held by turns at Hempstead, Flushing and Jamaica. In 1852, September 29th, the fair was held at Flushing. The delegation from the American Institute and invited guests rode from the steamboat wharf to the fair grounds in a wagon drawn by 56 yoke of fine oxen, with music, under escort of Bragg's horse guards and the Hamilton rifles. The premiums consisted of 231 books, 300 dip- lomas, 33 silver cups, 7 silver medals, and 6 silver butter knives, together with cash premiums, amounting in all to nearly $800. The receipts were $445.27. There was a plowing match and a fine display of flowers and fruits. The horses, decendants of " Eclipse," " Messen- ger," "Engineer," " Mambrino," " Abdallah," &c, were of truer form and points than those at the State fair. In 1853 premiums were offered for the best loaf of wheat and rye bread made by a girl under 21 years of age; also for cheese, quinces, cranberries, honey, silk, &c. There was a plowing match for four premiums. On the last day of the fair there was an auction sale of stock (registered in a book), horses, sheep, swine and farm implements. No fine-wooled sheep had been ex- hibited for years. In 1854 there were three premiums offered for the best butter made by a girl under 21. Badges and four tickets of admission to the grounds were furnished each member on the payment of $1; the price of single tickets was 12% cents. Those not members were required to pay $1 on entering articles for premiums. In 1861 ladies' needle-work was admitted free. The receipts for the first 16 years were $4,101.59; for the second 10 years $19,096.1 1. During the succeeding 4 years the gross receipts were $20,071.51; and the fairs were held on ground fenced in, with increased facilities for the display of stock and other articles. On November 30th 1857 the society, having greatly in- creased its membership and improved its finances, was in- corporated, in order that it might hold real and personal property without taxation, and occupy an equal position of respectability with its sister societies in the State; its object being to encourage and improve agriculture, hor- ticulture and the mechanic arts. The corporators were John Harold, John Bedell, Joseph Tompkins, William T. McCoun, Samuel T. Jackson, Benjamin W. Doughty, Jeremiah Yalentine, Uriah Mitchell, Samuel L Hewlett, and James P. Smith. A service of plate was presented to John Harold. At the fair of 1857 the president of the society, John A. King, and William T. McCoun rode through Jamaica to the sound of music, in a wagon drawn by 13 yoke of oxen, followed by another drawn by 10 yoke of oxen. On July 1st 1858 there was an interesting trial of 8 mowing machines on the farm of Valentine Willis, near Mineola, amid a large concourse of spectators. The first premium was given to the Buckeye mower, the second to Jerome's combined mower and reaper. At the fall fair held at Flushing September 22nd 1858 there were 28 premiums offered for farm implements. The wagons containing the committee of reception and invited guests and Shelton's brass band were drawn by about 50 yoke of oxen through the principal streets of the village, to a 10-acre lot of Thomas Legget junior, which was enclosed with a high board fence. A quarter- mile track was graded and roped in for the exhibition of horses. A large tent was erected on a gentle eminence. On the grounds were 7,000 persons. The receipts were $1,405.72, including $659.72 for tickets sold. The pick- pockets reaped a harvest in a small way. Simon R. Browne exhibited 20 of his fine horses, and E. A. Law- rence a fat ox weighing 2,500 pounds. Gabriel Winter contributed a floral temple. Drawings by pupils of the Whitestone school were on exhibition, also Duryea's corn starch; ground almonds and peanuts were grown by George Lawrence. The local committee assumed all the expenses of the fair, amounting to $800. In 1859 the fair was held in a ten-acre lot at Hemp- stead, and 5,000 persons were present. Three premiums were offered for the best trotting horse and 7 premiums for carriages, market wagons and harness. Two market wagons attached together, covered with a canopy of sheaves of corn, wheat, . John Fanning, Rhode Island. James Fre- ley, 69th N. Y; d. December ^ 1 st '62, at Alexandria, Va. Michael Feeley, 15th N. Y. S. M. William H. H. Field, 15th N. Y. engineers; d. at Alexandria September 12th '63. George Field, 15th engineers; general's staff, New York city. John Fink, 15th (Queens county) art.; called out 30 days to garrison Fort Richmond, New York harbor. Charles Fisher, 3d Rhode Island; pro. sergt.; w. Ranee Fitzner, 54th N. Y. inf. William Flood, 15th engineers; pro. quartermaster. William Fogarty; re-enlisted May '64, 5th reg. Excelsior brigade. George Oscar Fowler, 67th N. Y. bat. George H. Fow- ler; d. of typhoid fever January 1st '63, at Fredericks- burg, 15th N. Y. engineers. Asa A. Fowler, sergt.; k. at Fredericksburg, December 13th '62. Charles J. Freggang, 15th N. Y. S. M. Louis Fritz, 6th N. Y. Washington Fowler ; w. at Spott- sylvania Court-house ; died June 7th '64. John Garoay, 29th N. J.; transferred to 74th N. Y. Alonzo Garretson, lieut., 2nd cav. ; pro. 2nd lieut.; d. of disease. Charles Glaser, 15th N. Y. art.; 30 days. William Gleason, 67th N. Y.; w. at Spottsyl- vania Court-house. Robert Graham. John Gray, lands- man on the " Mound City." James Grier, 74th N. Y.; pro. 10th N. Y. Michael Griffin, 25th N. Y. bat. Albert Griffin, 34th N. Y. art.; pro. 3d corp. and sergt. Jacob Habel, 15th N. Y. art. William H. Hamilton, 1st lieut., 2nd N. Y. Edwin Harris, engineer. Seth Harpell, 5th reg. Excelsior brigade; k. at Gettysburg July 2nd '63. Stephen Harris, 6th N. Y. art. Charles A. Harris, 34th N. Y. art. Philip Hartoung, 74th (Sickles brigade); w. in left leg. Martin Hawbeil, Sickles brigade. Charles Hawbeil, 1st cav. Basil H. Hayden, 55th inf., Co. A; pro. corp. John Hearry, 35th N. Y. b.; pro. orderly sergt. George Helmsley, 15th N. Y. engineers. Frank- lin H. Herr, 34th cav. Charles Hicks, 9th N. Y. John Hicks, Rhode Island colored regiment. Daniel Higgins, 15th N. Y. engineers; pro. corp., serg., 2nd and 1st. lieut. Charles Horstman, 133d (Metropolitan) ; pro. corp. George Iduntsman; d. Oscar C. Jackson, 165th N. Y.; pro. capt. in 4th U. S. colored cav. Gilford Jackson, nth Rhode Island bat. James Jackson, Rhode Island; discharged for sickness. Thomas Jackson, 41st U. S. James Johnson, U. S. gunboat " Naugatuck." George P. Johnson, sailor, gunboat " Naugatuck "; pro. quarter- master; on duty in the Narrows. John J. Johnson, 15th engineers; pro. isl lieut. May 31st '64; later rank brevet capt. Samuel Johnson, on ships " Adirondack " and " Louisville "; discharged as boatswain's mate of gunboat "Sampson." Daniel S. Johnston, battalion L 2nd cav.; pro. corp. L. S. Johnston, battalion L 2nd cav.; prisoner 16 months. William H. H.Johnston, 13th N. Y. Robert Johnston, 15th N. Y. S. M.; at Fort Richmond. David Johnston, 15th N. Y. S. M. Isaac R. Jones, 9th N. Y.; pro. corp.; taken prisoner at Gettysburg and exchanged. Cornelius Kelley, 15th N. Y. engineers Jacob Kerrer, signal corps. Patrick Kiernan, 34th N. Y. bat.; pro. corp. in February '64. James Kiernan, 74th N. Y.; prisoner a year. Herman K nappe, 38th N. Y.; pro. lieut. Frederick Knecht, 75th N. Y. Washington Knights, sergt. 5th reg. Excelsior brigade; k. at Gettysburg. Jere- miah Lawrence, 1 2th III. cav. ; re-enlisted in engineer corps, Co. 15. John A. Leek, 15th engineers; general's staff. John Leonard, 74th N. Y. James Lewis, 6th N. Y. cav. Ebenezer O. Lewis; w. at Williamsburg. Charles K. Lincoln, 1st lieut., 2nd heavy art. William Ludwig, 34th bat.; w. May 12th '64, Wilderness. George Lynch, 12th N. Y. ; transferred to 5th (Duryea's); prisoner in Rich- mond 4 months; re-enlisted. James A. Macdonald, 37th N. Y. Thomas McCready; k. at Williamsburg. Wil- liam McGowen, landsman on the " Wabash." John Mahai, 5th regiment Sickles brigade. Augustus Malitan. Robert McPherson; re enlisted May '64 in the 5th regiment Excelsior brigade. Patrick Maloon, 29th N. Y. Michael Manning. Edward Marks, 112th N. Y.; pro. lit sergt.; transferred to 3d N. Y. as hospital guard. Charles R. Martin, gunboat "' Lenapee/' cabin boy. John Martin, w. '62 at Freder- icksburg. Joseph R. Merritt. surgeon, in charge of U. S. ship "Enterprise." ChaiL.i Metzger, 15th N. Y. art Charles Michel, sergt. U. S. sloop " Ossipee." Frederick Muller, 1st Del. George R. Miller, 17th N. Y. Louis Miller, 34th N. Y. art.; pro. corp. Charles H. Miller, 34th N. Y. art.; pro. quartermaster sergt.; discharged for physical disability. Feb. 25 '65. Wilson T. Mitchell, 3d N. J.; w. twice. John F. B. Mitchell, 1st lieut. 2nd N.Y. cav.; pro. capt. Charles Munson, 27th Conn. David Munson, 6th N. Y. art. Martin Nex, k. at Williamsburg. P. B. Nichols, 139th N. Y.; w. at Cold Harbor June '64. Peter D. Noe, 74th N. Y. Frederick W. Obernier, 46th N. Y. bat. John Omerhavser, sergt. 15th N. Y. S. M. Henry Parks, 15th N. Y. John H. Pell, 5th N. Y.; pro. capt. 4th N. Y. August Pfropfe, 15th N. Y. art.; 30 days. George Plitt, 15th N. Y. art. William Plost, 2nd N.Y. bat.; disabled by a fall. Silas Post, 15th engineers; general's staff Edward and John Poole, 14th Rhode Island. William Prince, 9th N. Y.; commissioned 1st lieut. in 159th Jan. 1 '64; lieut. of ordnance in General Sheridan's corps; capt. Mar. 31 '65; w. twice; discharged; joined regular army Feb. '64; d. Dec. 18 '80. Christian Prireth, 15th N. Y. art.; 30 days. George H. Quarterman, capt. 74th N. Y.; pro. major 5th reg. Excelsior brigade May 5 '62; served twelve years in State militia; w. at Williamsburg. Harris H. Rapayice, 165th cav.; pro. asst. steward. Daniel Reinkeimer, 15th N. Y. art. Michael Reena, 74th N. Y., "Excelsior brigade" John Revels, 8th Penn. cav.; w. in right arm and hip. Philip Rober, 15th N. Y. S. M. Charles Robinson, 15th N. Y. engineers. Thomas Robinson, capt. 34th N. Y. bat. Graham Rob- inson, 22nd N. Y. Charles A. Roe, 67th N. Y. bat. Thomas Roe, 61st N. Y.; drummer. Jacob Roemer, lieut. 34th N. Y. bat.; pro. capt. Dec. 2 '64; pro. major; w. four times. Carl Rudwick, 34th N. Y. bat. William Rudwick, 34th N. Y. bat.; pro. corp. John Russell, sergt. i2thU. S. inf.; in regular service 15 years, including Mexican war. William J. Ryerson, 34th N. Y. bat.; pro. corp.; w. William W. Sands, sergt. 61st N. Y.; w. in leg at Fredericksburg, '62. Levi Saumons. Patrick Savage, w. at Fredericksburg, '62. Tacob Schafer, 61st N. Y. Peter Schafer, 1st. N. Y. bat. Adolf Schmid, 2nd lieut. 45th N. Y.; pro. capt.; k. at Chancellors- ville. Otto Schrader, sergt. 2nd N. Y. independent bat.; transferred to hospital July 23 '63. Leopold Schreiber, 15th N. Y. art.; 30 days. Charles Schroeder, 34th independent bat.; pro. capt.; died in service. Henry Schulz, 15th N. Y. art. Franklin Schulz, 79th N. Y.; k. in '63 at Fort Anderson. David Schulz, 71st N. Y. Willington Schyler, nth R. I. bat. John Schyler, QUEENS COUNTY'S VOLUNTEERS. 6? 4th U. S. inf. John Scott, 74th N. Y.; w. John Shultz, 15th N. Y. S. M. James S. Sidney, corp. 15th N. Y. S. M.; on duty at Fort Richmond. Charles Smith, 5th reg. Excelsior brigade; w. at Wapping Heights and Gettysburg. Charles D. Smith, 5th reg. Excelsior brigade; d. September 14 '63, of wounds received at Gettysburg. Joseph B. Smith, sergt., 170th N. Y.; pro. lieu t. March 1 '64. Thomas Smith, 15th inf.; pro. capt.; drowned at Fort Richmond. George G. Smith, nth U. S. cav.; pro. corp. heavy art. Alfred Smith, 15th engineers. George D. Smith, 2nd division 25th army corps. George P. Smith, 15th engineers. Samuel Smith, sailor on revenue cutter station. Theodore A. Smith, sailor. John Smith, 5th N. Y. heavy art. James P. Smith; k. at Williamsburg. William C. Smith, 67th N. Y. ; pro. orderly sergt, and transferred to 65th N. Y.; w. at Wilderness January '64. John Snyder, 34th N. Y. bat. John Snyder, 26th N. Y. William H. Snyder, 74th N. Y.; w. in both thighs at Cold Harbor, June 3 '64. Edwin A. Snyder, 2nd Penn. reserve. Frank Somers, 63d N. Y. Louis Spanengberg, 20th N. Y. bat. Thomas C. Spilletts, sergt., 5th N. Y. art. John Stader, 15th N. Y. art. Jo- seph Starkings, gunner's mate, gunboat " Sanford." Michael Straner, 15th N. Y. art.; in garrison at Fort Richmond. Henry Stebbins, 15th N. Y. S. M. William H. Steele, sergt.; pro. 1st lieut. and capt. William J. M. Steele; injured in spine. Joseph Stillvvago, lieut. 15th N. Y. M.; served at Fort Richmond. Alexander Stuter, 52nd N. Y.; d. at Salisbury, in October '64. William H. Terry, sergt. 40th N. Y.; k. October 7 '64, before Richmond. Frank Texido, 10th N. Y. city; served time and re-enlisted August '64. Henry Thomas, U. S. gunboat " Crusader." David Thompson. John Thornill, 5th N. Y. art.; pro. corp. Wallace Thurston, sailor. Charles W. Townsend, sergt.; k. at Port Hudson, '63. John Townsend, 6rst; drummer boy; pro. corp., 2nd lieut. and 1st lieut. Albert Townsend, 2nd cav.; pro. 1st lieut. Fanning C. Tucker, 7th N. Y. M.; pro. capt. 103d N. Y. Louis Tucker. William Tucker. John H. Van Wyck, colored regiment. Pu'chard Vedders, 34th N. Y. bat. Jeremiah Vandeberg, 176th N. Y.; w. at Brashear City. La., in 1863. Thomas Wallace, 34th N. Y. bat. David B. Waters, 15th N. Y. S. M. Thomas W. Webb, 15th N. Y. S. M. Charles B. Westcott. Thomas White. Daniel Williams, 74th N. Y. ; taken prisoner; w. at Spottsylvania. Charles Wilson, corp. 158th N. Y.; w. at Gettysburg, Pa., and Pine Knob, Ga. John Wirtz, nth Conn.; pro. sergt.; re-enlisted in 3d N. Y. independent bat. Walter Wood. James Wood, 37th N. Y. bat.; pro. 3d sergt.; w. at Wilderness, May 5 '64. John Wren, gunner on the " Neptune." Robert C. Wright, 5th reg. Excelsior brigade; k. near Appomat- tox Court-house. Israel Youngs, 15th N. Y. en- gineers. William F. Youngs, 5th reg. Excelsior brigade, sergt.; w. at Wapping Heights. Frederick Zimmerman, sergt. 3d N. Y. cav.; pro. 2nd. lieut. HEMPSTEAD. Henry Abrams junior, 128th N.Y. Levi Abrams, 158th N. Y.; lost leg before Petersburg. William Abrams, 1st N.Y. Gilbert Abrams, 40th N. Y,; k. at Fair Oaks. Medadoc Alfeno, 47th N. Y. William Allum, 102nd N. Y. A. J. Bagot, 2nd art. Frank Baker. Alfred Bald- win. Jacob, Selah, Stephen and Valentine Baldwin, 119th N. Y. Moses A. Baldwin, lieut. 119th N. Y.; k. at Mill Creek Gap. Treadwell Bedell; k. at Pine Knob, Ga. Abram Bennett, marine, taken prisoner and par- oled on the "Pacific." E. Birdsall, 127th; w. twice in hip. George Bithmuller, 3d reg. Excelsior brigade; w. in arm at Gettysburg. George H. Bowker, flag officer, navy. Sydney Bowker, 5th N. Y. light bat. Elijah Brower, 2nd U. S. art; missing in battle before Richmond. James V. Burdett, 119th N. Y. Halstead Burnett Walter Byers, Siraonick. Henry Camps, color sergt., 119th N. Y. ; k. at Gettysburg. Benjamin Carman, 1st N. Y. John Carman, 159th N. Y. John Carmen, 119th N. Y., Co. H. William Carmen, 119th N.Y. Frederick Car- penter, 98th N. Y. ; re-enlisted. Segust Carpenter, 121st N. Y. Benjamin Carpenter. George Carpenter, 4th N. Y. art. Tredwell Chesser. Charles Cleck, 119th N. Y. Edward Clowes, 2nd N. Y. cav. John Combs, 119th. George W. Conaway, 48th N. Y. Isaac Conway, 3d reg. Excelsior brigade; w. at Gettysburg. John J. Coombs, 132nd N. Y. Michael Cooney, 2nd N. Y. Samuel Cooper, 1 19th N. Y. Edward Cooper. John Cornelius, 119th N. Y.; pro. sergt. John H. Cornelius, 139th N.Y. John H. Cornell, 158th N. Y.; pro. sergt. Edward and Nicholas Cornell, 158th N. Y. Nelson Cornell, 13th N. Y. bat. Evert Cornell, ship " Tallapoosa." John Cor- nell, ship " Itasca." Daniel Cornwell, 119th. Samuel D. Cornwell, 10th N. Y. cav. John Cosgrove, Lincoln cav. Charles Coss. William and Enery E. Coster, 14th Rhode Island, Co. L. W. Covert, 4th art. Bedell Covert, 4th art. George Craft, 1st Maryland. A. De Mott, 116th N. Y. Benjamin Denton, 158th N. X Benjamin Dermott, 119th N. Y. Samuel De Witt, 119th. Joseph Dosher, 25th N. Y. cav.; pro. com. sergt. James Darsey, 119th N. Y. Joseph Doxey, 48th N. Y.; dis- charged for sickness. Alexander Dunlap, navy. Moore Dunlap, 5th 111. cav. John V. Dunn; k. in Wilderness. John Duryea, 102nd N.Y. R. C. Duryea, capt. 5th art.;k. at Fort Pickens '62. Tunis Dykeman, 102nd N. Y. George Elders, 2nd N. Y. cav. Theodore Evans, Riker's Island. Matthew Finnecane, 15th N. Y. engineers. Herbert Fryer. John M. Gardiner, 1st N. Y. art. Jonathan Gardner, 4th N. Y. John Gilbert; w. at Brandy station, Va., June 6 '63. Thomas F. Gilbert, 119th N. Y. Ephriam Granger, 139th N. Y. William J. Hall, 4th N. Y. bat. John Hart. Lewis Hanshback, 15th N. Y. art. Samuel Harnard, 4th N. Y. art.; pro. corp. Henry Hedges. Joseph Hedges; d. at Atlanta July 25 '64. •Epenetus Hendrickson; w. at Brandy Station, Va., July 6 '63. John Henderson, 28th N. Y. Eliphalet Hen- drickson, adjt. Joseph, Peter and John Hendrickson, 158th N. Y. Daniel Hendrickson, 90th N. Y. N. J. Hewlett, 119th N. Y. George Hewlett, 119th N.Y.; pro. sergt. B. Hewlett, 38th N. Y. Thomas Hicks, 78th, Co. B. Harmon Hicks, 119th N. Y.; k. at Nashville. William H. Hoemen, 95th Penn. Lewis Hohorst, 173d N. Y. Thomas Horan, 43d N. Y. David V. Hor- ton, 1 2th N. J. Simon and Jacob Hubug, 139th N. Y. George Hubug, 54th N. Y. Peter Hubug, 69th N. Y. Franklin Hubs, 145th N. Y. C. J. Hultse, 1st art. W. E Hultse, 158th. H. Hultse, 90th. Richard Hultz. 158th, Co. D. James M. Jackson, Philadelphia. Lewis Jackson. Lewis Jackson, 1 1 th R. I. Dr. Edgar Jackson, d. May '64. Henry Jackson. Chas. Jackson, 20th U.S. Morris Jackson. Gilbert, Sands and John Jackson, 20th U. S. Andrew Jackson, 158th N. Y. Richard Jackson, 5th N. Y. John Jackson, 119th N. Y. Charles Jackson, 1st N. Y. mounted rifles. Lewis Jarvis, 14th Rhode Island. Edward Jarvis, 71st N. Y. Samuel Jarvis, 20th U. S. colored. Lorenzo Johnson, ship "Unadilla." Charles N. Johnson, 26th colored regiment. Frank Johnson, 20th regiment. C. Johnson, 119th; w. in lung. Thomas and Epenetus Johnson. 1st N. Y. mounted ri ties. Edward and William F. Johnson, 139th N. Y. Abram Johnson. Sam- uel Jones, 165th N. Y. Albert Jones, 127th N. Y. George Keep. Barney Kelley, 119th N. Y. Edward H. Kellogg, 39th N. Y. b.; pro. 2nd lieut. James Leaman, 68 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. Chris. Lemkens. 47th N. Y. Henry Lemkens, 158th N. Y. John Lemkens, 119th N. Y. Josiah Lewis, N. Y.: pro. sergt. Smith Lewis, 159th N. Y. William Lock- wood, 129th N. Y. L. Losee, ship "Cntskill." W. H. McNiel, 13th cav.; pro. 1st lieut. John McGuire. J. T. Mngee, 139th; teamster. William McConnard, 139th. Cornwell McMana. James McCarty, 129th N. Y. Eu- gene V. Marsh, 1 19th N. Y.; w. at Mill Creek Gap. Abratn N. Martin, navy, 2nd class fireman. James G. Martin, 4th N. Y. heavy art. V. Matthews, 158th. Augustus Matti, ship "Newbern." H. Mead, 4th art. A. W. Mead, 4th art.; pro. sergt. J. R. Mead, 139th. John Miller. 9th N. J. John Miller, 20th U. S. colored. — Morrell, 71st N. Y. Wilson Moore, 5th reg. Excelsior brigade; w. at Gettysburg. Martin Mott, n 8th N.Y. Dandridge Mott. 119th N. Y.; k. at Pine Knob, June 1 6th '64. Cyrus Mott. Joseph Mott, 4th art. ; captured at Ream's Station, Aug. 19th '64. Richard D. Mott, 5th N.Y. George Mott, 1st N.Y. John E. Mowbray, ship 'Ariel"; pro. corp George W. Murray, 7th N. Y.; re-enlisted Oct. 15th '61, 1st N. Y. M. R.; pro. 2nd lieut. Dec. 30th '64.. — Murray, 71st N. Y. Joseph Myers, 87th N. V. Charles Neebe, 40th N. Y. Charles Noon, 75th N. Y. Martin Noon. John Noon. William Noon; w. at Brandy Station, Va., June 6th '63. John W. Nostrand, 158th N. Y. Theodore Nostrand, 119th N. Y. Francis O'Riley, 5th art. AViiliam and John H. Pearsall, 139th N. V. Bates Pearsall, 15th N. Y. Hallet Pearsall, 90th N. Y. Lewis Pettit, 158th, Co. D; w. in neck, Feb. 29th '64. Alanson Pettit. William H. Pettit, 73d N. Y., Co. A. William H. Place, 51I1 N. Y. heavy art.; pro. sergt. Thomas Place, 1st N. Y. mounted rifles. Joshua Place; pro. sergt. Walter Plumb; taken pris- oner at Gettysburg. Mordccai Post, 28th art; pro. sergt. Martin Post, navy, on the "Santiago." Isaac J. Post, 4th N. Y. art William R. Powell, 1st N. Y. mounted rifles; pro. cor]).; shot in abdomen in '62. William Pray; pro. clerk of quartermaster's department. Henry Rad ford, 119th N. Y.; captured at Gettysburg: confined at Belle Isle, Richmond. C. F. Raynor, 119th N. Y.; miss- ing before Richmond. A. J. Raynor, 139th. Elijah Ray- nor; d. at White House, Va., June 2nd '64. James B. Raynor, 4th art. ; transferred to ship "Ariel ;" pro. mate. Wiliiam H. Raynor, 158th N. Y. Tredwell Reinpser, 48th N. Y.; pro. corp. Isaac Renyon, 7th N. Y. Albert Rhodes, 95th. W. William Rhodes, 119th. John Rider, 129th N. Y. William H. Ricer, 40th N. Y; k. in Wilderness, May '64. James Ritchie, 145th N. Y. Charles D. Robins, 102nd N. Y. Jere- miah Robins, 15th N. Y. Richard Robins, 3d N. J. cav. Jacob Robbins. Joseph Russ, 25th N. Y. cav. George Ryerson, 127th N. Y. John Ryker, 119th N. Y. William H. Seaman, 119th; pro. 1st lieut. Davis Seaman, 139th. George Seaman, 158th N. Y.; died in service. Daniel Seaman, 119th N. Y. Thomas Settle, 139th N. Y. Henry Shaw, 158th N. Y. David Shaw. 101st N. Y. James Shaw, 158th N. Y. John Skiliskorn, 70th N. Y.; k. at Williamsburg. Charles Smith, 139th N. Y. Josiah Smith, 4th N. Y. A. J. Smith, 1st N. Y.; transferred to 13th cav. Asa Smith, missing before Richmond. J. H. Smith, 56th. Charles Smith, 41I1 art. M. Smith, corp., ship "Ariel." E. R. Smith, :58th; taken prisoner July 5 '63, at Newbern, N. C. W. H. Smith, 139th; d. '62. Thomas V. Smith, Harris cav.; pro. lieut. Charles E. Smith, 2nd N.Y. cav. John H. Smith, 119th N. Y.; w. Henry Smith, 133d N. Y.; w. in foot at Spottsylvania Court-house; Chauncey Smith, 119th N. Y.; transferred to 10th Rhode Island reserve bat.; veteran. Samuel Smith, w. at Gettysburg. Gershom Smith, Co. F 75th N.Y. Moses Smith, 119th N. Y.; missing at Pine Knob, Ga. John Smith. John Southard, 64th. E. B. South- ard, 119th; w. at Gettysburg, Pa., and Pine Knob, Ga. Charles Southard, 119th N. Y. John F. Speedling, 1 19th N. Y.; captured at Gettysburg; held at Belle Isle. Ben- jamin Sprague, 119th N.Y. Freeman Sprague, 7th N.Y. William Stoothoof, 67th N. Y.; discharged for wounds. Samuel Stringham, 158th N. Y. Joseph Thurston, 158th N. Y. Andrew Thurston, 40th N. Y. Elias H. Ticknbr, 127th N. Y. Edmond W. Townsend, monitor " Catskill." Charles Triquot, 40th N. Y.; w. at Fair Oaks, '62. The- odore Topper, 1 191I1 N. Y.; captured at Gettysburg; con- fined at Belle Isle. Joseph Underhill, ship " Hydrachy," executive officer. Samuel W. Valentine, 40th N. Y.J w. at Fair Oaks, '62. John Vanderwater jr., 14th N. Y.; discharged in Mar. '63, having consumption. Valentine and Andrew Vanderwater, 14th N. Y. Edgar H. Van- derwater, 2nd sergt. 66th N.Y.; transferred to 159th N.Y.; pro. 2nd lieut. Edgar Verity, 56th N. Y. J. Walker, 1 19th. George Warren, 1 19th N. Y. George T. Warren, captured at Gettysburg and confined at Belle Isle. David Warren, 13th Penn. cav. Carman Watts, 61st N. Y. Elbert Watts, 158th N. Y. William S. Weeks, w. at Brandy Station, Va., July 6 '63. John West, 25th N. Y. Thomas H. Wheeler, 4th hi avy art.; transferred to ship ' Malvern " June 271I1; pro. ensign. Francis White, 13th N. Y. John White, 43d N. Y. Washington White, 1 19th N. Y.; w. at Pine Knob. Charles E. Williams, 145th, Co. K. Peter W illiams, 19th N. Y. H. Williams, 115th cav. David Wilson, 119th N. Y. James Wilson, 119th; dis- ( harged for sickness. Charles Wilson, 119th N.Y. Wil- liam Wright. J. H. Wright, 119th. JAMAICA. John W. Abrams, 38th N.Y.; w. at Gettysburg, Pa., and Pine Knob, Ga. Richard Allen, 139th N. Y.; w. at Cold Harbor, May 31 '64. Theodore Anthony, 20th U. S. Thomas Baker, 4th art. James Barmore, 47th N. Y. Fdward Bayard, 20th N. Y. bat. Edgar Bayliss, 158th N. Y.; pro. corp.; w. in hi]) September 28 '64. at Chapin's Farm. William Beatty, 87th N. Y., Co. E; pro. orderly sergt. Robert Beatty, 139th N. Y., Co. A ; w. in hip before Richmond. May 31 '64; a year in hospital at David's Island. William Bedell, 90th N. Y. David O. Bell, Mozart reg.; w. and captured at Fredericksburg ; pro. sergt. major. George R. Bennett, 90th N. Y.; pro. 2nd lieut. December 12 '61 ; capt. August 12 '62. Wil- liam H. Bennett, 40th N. Y.; d. at Georgetown, April '62. Alfred S. Buckbee, 15th N. Y. engineers; pro. sergt. in September '64. George M. Bennett, 2nd lieut., 40th N. Y.; pro. 1st lieut. November 4 '61; k. at Fair Oaks. Isaac Bennett, 28th N. Y. bat.; w. in thigh in the New York riot. Jacob Bennett, 28th N. Y. Alonzo Bennett, 158th N. Y.; pro. corp. in May '65. William H. Bennett, 15th engineer brigade. George W. Bennett, 67th N. Y.; pro. orderly sergt.; k. at Fredericksburg, December, 10 '62. Samuel Bensen, 30th Conn. J. H. Berdway, 38th N. Y.; k. at Williamsburg. James Ber- mer, 90th N. Y. George H. Black, ship "Vermont;" pro. ship's clerk. Alfred Blacksion, ship " North Caro- lina." James Blacksion. John H. Blue, 1st Mass. heavy art.; pro. drum major. Alexander Bogart, 48th N. Y. James Boyd, 139th N. Y.; disabled by wound. Thomas Brady, 65th N. Y. engineers. Henry Bremer, Co. B, 57th N. Y.; had his leg broken at the battle of Ream's station. Richard Brush, Mogart reg. William A. Buck- bee, 15th N. Y. engineers; pro. corp. Patrick Buckley, U.S. ship "Nigara." J. Budway. 38th N. Y.; k. at Chancellorsville. Addy Burtis, 71st N. Y. 'Thomas Callahan, 27th N. Y. M. Richard M. Campbell, 90th N. Y. David M. Campbell, 15th N. Y. engineers; pro. UNION SOLDIERS FROM QUEENS. 69 sergt. August 5 '63; 2nd lieut. September 22 '64; 1st lieut. December 3 '64; quartermaster. John Caren, 42nd N. Y.; pro. 1st sergt. February 4 '63. John R. Carpenter, 13th N. Y. bat.; pro. sergt. in October '61. E. L. Carr, ship "Ellis;" pro. marine on board the "Hunchback; " was on the " Ellis " when blown up by Lieutenant Cushing. Cornelius I). Chapman, 127th N. Y. William H. Cheiring, 41st U. S. colored. James Clary, 40th N. Y. George Coles, 41st U. S. colored. William S. Cogswell, col. by brevet; served under Sher- man. George E. Cogswell, 165th N. Y.; d. April 16 '63. John M. Cock. William H. Coles, Sickles brigade. Daniel Combs, 158th N. Y. Andrew Conklin, 13th N. Y. S. M. Frederick Conner, 8th Conn. Patrick Cosgrove, 5th N. Y. George W. Coventry, 40th N. Y.; w. at Fair Oaks. George A. Creed, 40th N. Y. George T. Craw- ford, 5th Pa. cav.; k. on picket '63. George W. Cum- mings, 13th N. Y. cav.; w. Leonard Denton, ensign. Charles A. Denton, 13th N. Y. S. M. Jacob Dormus, 65th N. Y. Peter Dornett, 15th N. Y. engineers. Bar- tolatna Dose. Isaac Doughty, 1st mate of the " Hussar." David P. Doughty, sergt. 90th N. Y. Lewis Dubois, 5th heavy art., Brooklyn; pro. sergt. and 2nd lieut. Henry Dutcher; k. at Fredericksburg. Charles F. Dunham, 8th art. Benjamin Duryea, 169th N. Y; pro. 2nd lieut. in May '65. John Egan, 1 26th Ohio; pro. colonel's orderly. Patrick Eagan, 47th N. Y. Thomas English, 47th N. Y.; dis- charged on account of disability. Alfred Finn, 46th N. Y. John Flemming, 165th N. Y. J. C. Fowler, frigate "Roanoke." William Y. and John A. Fox, 15th N. Y. William Fryer, 145th N. Y. Jacob Cinders, 15th N. Y. engineers. Abram Golder, 56th N. Y. James Gordon, 90th N. Y.; pro. corp. and sergt. John Gotinburgh, 100th N. Y. Henry E. Gotleb, capt., 40th N. Y. James Gough, 9th N. Y. Thomas Graham, bat. C. N. Y. V.; discharged for disability. Jacob Durell Harris, 29th Conn.; discharged on account of disability. John B. Harrison, warrant officer, ship " Emma." John Hart, construction corps; slightly w. in foot. Edward Hart; k. before Richmond, May 31 '64. John Hatterick, 1st N. Y. cav.; w. ; taken prisoner in the Wilderness. George Hawkhurst, 4th N. Y. heavy art. Edward Hays. Sam- uel Henderson, ship " Sciola." George Henderson, 15th N. Y. engineers. Rushmore Henderson. Abram Hen- drickson, 158th N. Y. Hendrick Hendrickson, 38th N. Y. A. D. M. Hendrickson, 90th N. Y. William Wright Hendry, 5th N. Y.; w. in shoulder and neck August '62. Thomas G. Hendry, 165th N. Y.; quartermaster's clerk. John Hensler, 158th N. Y. George Hertenstein, 90th N. Y. Edward Hill, 5th N. Y.; w. in head; discharged for sickness. Lewis W. Hockensten, 38th N. Y.; k. at Chancellorsville. William Hoffman, Berdan's sharp- shooters. Jacob Housworth, 57th N. Y.; discharged on account of heart disease. William Henry Hull, 139th N. Y. ; pro. corp. in April '65. Benjamin Samuel Hurst, 90th N. Y. John Hutchinson, 158th N. Y.; Gabriel Ip- sel. 5th N. Y. cav. John K. Jackson, 26th N. Y. Theo- dore P. Johnson, 38th N. Y. John Johnson, Duryea's zouaves; d. September 7 '62 at Alexandria. Joseph Kautz, 47th N. Y. M. John Kelley, 3d U. S. inf.; pro. sergt. James A. Kilburn, 158th N. Y.; k.; color bearer and sergt. Warren M. Kipp, orderly, 1 7th N. Y. Oliver Kip; d. at Douglass hospital May '63. Henry Kraker, 46th N. Y.; pro. orderly sergt.; in twenty-one battles; w. over left eye. Patrick Larkins, 15th engineer corps. Henry E. Lester, 17th N. Y.; pro. corp. and sergt. Charles A. Lester, ship "Pensacola"; pro. fireman. John James Lindsay, 102nd N. Y.; w. in breast. William W. Lindsay, 102nd N. Y.; w. in thigh. Jacob H. Lewis, 15th engineer corps; pro. 1st class tinsmith. William J. Lodge, 71st N. Y. S. M. Morris Lowey, 121st N. Y. Isaac Lowey, 6th N. Y.; discharged on acct. of wd. in hand. Terrence Lyons, ship "Augusta." Mc- Canna, 67th N. Y.; w. at Fair Oaks. William James McGee, 98th battalion. Barney McGin- nis, nth N. Y. William G. Mangan, 1st lieut., 5th Conn.; capt., major and brevet lieut. col. Julius W. Mason lieut. 2nd U. S. cav.; w. at Bull Run; pro. 1st lieut. 5th regular cav. February '62. Joseph W. May, 158th N. Y.; pro. sergt., sergt. major and 2nd lieut. John Miller, 103d N. Y. Abram G. Mills, 165th N. Y.; pro! 2nd lieut. in October '63. Leander E. Monroe, 90th N. Y.; pro. sergt.; w. in thigh October 17 '64, at Cedar Creek. Charles H. Monroe, ship " Con- necticut." Stephen Morning, 47th N. Y. Andrew Napier, 165 th N. Y., pro. sergt. and 1st lieut.; w. in thigh at Pleasant Hill, La., Apr. '64. Abraham Neal, 158th N. Y. Richard W. Neal, 158th N. Y.; pro. corp. John Neat, 38th N. Y., Harris light cav. Thomas Neat, 38th N. Y. Charles Newman, 66th N. Y. Joseph Niblo, 171st N. Y. William E. Oakey, 127th N. Y. Joseph M.Oakley, 1st lieut. 12th N. Y. Joseph H. Oaks, 15th N. Y.; k. at Pine Knob, Ga. Benjamin O'Donnell] 15th N. Y. engineers. James O'Neill, 159th N. Y. Charles A. Parks, sergt. 90th N. Y. James Paul, 38th N. Y. DeMott Pearsall, ship " Hartford." George Potter. Pat- rick Potterson, U S. ship " Dunsmore." Edward T. Powell, 32nd Mass.; w. at Mine Run on picket duty May 31 '64. Isaac Powell, 16th N. Y. heavy art., bat. E. Tohn VV. Rapelye, 15th N. Y. engineers; d. Mar. 16*64. Rich- ard Rhodes, navy. Augustus Rich, 20th N. Y. cav. Thomas S. Rider, 40th N. Y.; pro. 2nd lieut. William J. Robinson, 56th N. Y. Abraham F. Robinson, 87th N. Y.; pro. corp. July 28 '63. Joseph Root, 15th N. Y.engineers! Christopher Savage, 69th N. Y. M. Diedrick Schirhorst, 132nd N.Y. Fred. Schriber, 133d N.Y. Frank Seidorff, sergt. nth N.Y. M. James Shaw, 158th N. Y. Michael Shaw. Adolph Shoels, 5th N. Y. heavy art. Charles Smith, capt. 158th N. Y. James B. Smith, 15th N. Y. engineers. William M. Smith, 71st N. Y.; d. Feb. 3 '64. William Smith, lieut. 4th reg. Sickles brigade. B. C. D. Smith, 34th bat.; pro. corp. George F. Smith, ship " Roanoke;" pro. asst. engineer. Edwin V. B. Smith, ship "Whitehead;" for gallant conduct appointed acting master's mate Oct. 19 '63; received a letter from Hon. Gid- eon Welles, secretary of the navy, transmitting a medal of honor for gallant conduct at Franklin, Va. Dominican Snideker, 13th N. Y. S. M. Albert J. Spaulding, 3d N.Y. Franklin V. Sprague, 5th N. Y. heavy art. George Starkey, 158th N. Y. George C. Stoddart, 15th N. Y. en- gineers; pro. sergt. Bernard Swartz, 54th N. Y. John Sweeney. Robert Tew, 20th independent bat. Silas Thompson, 158th N. Y., Co. C. George E. Tilley, 15th N. Y. engineers; pro. sergt. June 18 '63; 2nd lieut. Dec. 17 '64. Sylvester Townsend, 30th Conn. J. G. Under- bill, navy. Alfred Valentine, 158th N. Y. Edmund S. Valentine, 1st Wis. cav. Eugene V. Van Ness, 1st N. J. cav.; pro. orderly on staff by General Gregg. Charles N. Van Nostrand, 15th N. V. engineers. Alfred Van Nostrand, 90th N. Y., Co. A. Barker Van Vorhees, acting master of the ship " Lackawanna;" pro. acting lieut. John Wagner, 31st N. Y. Samuel Watson, 29th Conn. Simeon Watts, 158th N. Y. T. P. Watts, 38th N. Y. J. T. Watts, ship " Sonoma." David J. We'eden, 132nd N.Y.; pro. sergt. Thomas Weeks, 2nd N.Y. An- drew Weeks. Caesar Weeks. A. J.Wilkinson, 15th N. Y. engineers; pro. sergt. June 17 '63; 1st lieut. Apr. 7 '64. Louis Williams, 38th N. Y.; captured at Bull Run and confined in Libby prison. William W. Wood, 107th N. Y.; pro. corp. Stephen Wood, Co. E 175th N. Y. William Wood, Co. A 139th N. V. Henry O- Woodruff, 90th N. Y.; pro. sergt. 7° HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. NEWTOWN. John Adamson. David J. Ammermore, 15th N. Y. Samuel Baldwin 15th N. Y.; pro. ftaff officer. Charles Baldwin, 15th N. Y.; pro. sergt. John Baudldin, 5th heavy art. William Barnes, w. before Petersburg June 16 '64. Abner Bartlett, 47th N. Y. William Bedell, k. in battle. John A. Burdet, 13th; w. in both knees at Fair Oaks. Herman Beyer, pro. hospital steward; w. in left leg. Charles E. Bisbee, 2nd Mass. Joseph Board, 65th N.Y. William E. Bragan, pro. sergt.; pro. rapt, for bravery at Kelley's Ford. Daniel F. Bragan, sergt. 9th N. Y. cav.; w. at Winchester. Townsend Bragan, 6th N. Y. Joseph Brakenbury, 73d N.Y. George W. Brown, 16th 111.; pro. 2nd lieut. Thomas Brown, 155th N. Y. Louis Brumer, 3d light bat.; k. at Petersburg Sep. 20*64. John Bulander, 44th N. Y. Thorn is M. Burke, w. Tim- othy Burns, 1st N. Y. engineers. George W. Burtis, 4th Metropolitan; k. by accident at Franklin Aug. 22 '64. William H. Butler, 47th N. Y. James Campbell, Berdan's sharpshooters; discharged on account of disability. John Cannon, N. Y. Thomas Carle, 51st N. Y.; pro. corp. John Carle, 10th N. Y. Washington J. Cherry, 133d N. Y.; pro. corp. Alonzo Child, 5th N. Y. art.; pro. corp. John R. Chown, 2nd asst. engineer ship " Saco." Peter Conroy, 139th N. Y.; w. at Chatham's farm Sep. 29 '64, losing leg. Underhill J. Covert, joth N.Y. bat.; pro. 2nd lieut. William R. Cummings, capt. 13th heavy art. Henry Dailey, 15th N. Y. John Day, 15th engineers. George W. Delaney, 14th. Joseph B. Denton, capt. 87th N. Y. John R. Dewitt, 71st N. Y. Benjamin Dingfield, 2nd Virginia; w. at Bull Run; d. at Georgetown, D.C., Sep. 20 '62. John L. Dody, asst. surgeon 57th N. Y.; pro. surgeon Mar. 1 '62. John Doherty, 62nd N. Y,; pro. sergt.; w. twice. John Donely. Henry Dorax, 2nd N.Y. heavy artillery. James and William Duffey, 15th heavy art. John Duffey, 69th heavy art.; k. at Bull Run. Mar- tin Duggan, 69th N. Y. ; pro. sergt.; w. at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. John H. Evans, 1 27th N. Y. C. L. Everett, 2nd Conn.; pro. sergt. John Farrell, 127th N.Y. Peter J. Fay, fireman on the " General Meigs." Wil- liam R. Fisher, 133d N. Y. William E. Fisher, capt. nth N. Y. George W. Fisher, nth N. Y. ; pro. sergt and lieut. Thomas J. Fisher, nth N. Y. ; pro. sergt. Michael Foley. Daniel Folk, corp. 3d N. Y. art.; pro. lieut. Daniel Frawley, 15th engineers. Wil- liam Frawley, 145th N. Y.; w. and d. June 4 '63. Frederick Freman, 68th N. Y. John Gaffney, 51st N. Y.; w. in neck in the Wilderness. John Gardiner, 40th N. Y.; prisoner 11 days. Daniel A. Garrett, 15th engineers. Henry Gerby, 39th N. Y ; w. in arm at the second battle of Fredericksburg. Thomas Gillispie. George Goswell, 3d col. Joseph Gough, 87th. John H. Gower, 133d N. Y. James Grant, 66th N. Y- John M. Groves, 103d N. Y. James H. Hallett, ship " Hartford." John Hampson, Hawkins Zouaves. Wil- liam V. Hannan, 5th heavy art. ; quartermaster's clerk. Henry Hanson, 2nd mate of the '' Northern Light." Philip Harty, ship "Primrose." William Hawkhirll 124th N. Y.; k. May 3 '63. Philip Heine, 7th N. Y' Robert Henry, 13th N. Y.; pro. corp. William Hill' 173d N. Y.; pro. corp. Samuel Holdworth, 15 engineers- John H. Holman; discharged for disability. William H. Howe, '15th N. Y. engineers; pro. sergt. William Hunter 1st N. Y. Andrew Jackson, 30th 111.; w. at Fredericksburg. Charles Jackson, 13th heavy art; dis- charged for disability; re-enlisted in Sickles brigade., John Jenkins, 15th N. Y. James Johnson, 127th N. Y. Samuel Katon. Thomas Kearney, 138th N. Y. David Keeze, 15th N. Y. Matthew Kennedy, 51st N. Y. Alex- ander Kenny, 16th. Calvin B. King, 127th N. Y. Ear- nest Klein, 39th N. Y.; pro. sergt. Christian Kirabler, 145th N. Y. George Kniffin. Samuel F. Knight, 15th N. Y.; w. in arms. Frank Kraps, 54th N. Y. Edward Lehmone, 147th Penn.; discharged for physical disabil- ity. Charles H. Lewis, 15th N. Y.; pro. capt. Got- fried Link, Co. F, 2nd N. H. bat. John Low, 139th N. Y. Hans Lukens, 4th; pro. color sergt. Louis Lukens, 58th N. Y. Robert J. Marks, 8th Pa. cav.; d. of wounds February 5 '64. Alexander Maloney, lieut.; pro. capt. Patrick McCardle; ship '' Union." Thomas McCormick, 99th N. Y. James McCormick, 10th Tenn. [ames McGrady, 86th N. Y. Thomas McGuire, ship "Semi- nole." James McHighley, 158th N. Y. James McKenna, 15th engineers. John S. McKinley, 1st N.Y. col. Michael McKenny, ship " Florida." John McWilliams, 1st N. Y. cav. Jeremiah Manahan, 67th N. Y. Emory Marsh, commissary sergt., 14th N. Y. cav.; pro. 1st lieut. Fred- erick Masser, 45th N. Y. William H. Mead, 138th N. Y. Daniel Merrell, 3d Pa. Frederick Miller, 4th N. Y. Reuben Munson. 1 86th N. Y. Frederick Munez, 59th N. Y. Thomas Murray junior, 13th Penn. cav.; pro. or- derly sergt. Thomas Newport, 66th N. Y. Joseph D. Newton, 2nd assistant engineer, ship " Glaucus." Thomas Parsons, 5th N. Y. cav.; pro. sergt Daniel Z. Payntar, 1st reg. Berdan's; shot before Yorktown April 7 '62. John D. Pettit, 6th heavy art.; pro. sergt. John Phelan, 73d N. Y. George Phillip 1 ;, 47th N. Y. Joseph Pod- more, 2nd 111. John Podmore, 79th N. Y. John Powrie, 15th N. Y. Anthony Quiss, 15th N. Y. James Randell, 158th N. Y. Rudolph Ray, 102nd N. Y. John B. Ray. Daniel Reed, 1st N. Y. art. Edward Regney, 25th N. Y. William Rhoades, William Rhoades junior, and John R. Rhoades, 15th N. Y. Samuel H. Rich, 1st mate of the " Northern Light." A. Robertson, 81st N. Y. Samuel Roden, 15th N. Y. Louis Rodiger, 38th N. Y. Alanson Ross, corp.; pro. sergt. William Ross, 3d Conn.; severely w. in left leg. William Scott. Frederick Seinka, 20th N. Y. William Seiniker, 127th N. Y. Augustus Severin, 36th N. Y. Albert Shears, ship " Sabine." Sanviel E. Shonnard, 1st Long Island; supposed to have died at Salisbury prison. George W. Slater, 176th N. Y. Patrick Smith, 88th N. Y. John S. Smith, zouaves; k. at Bull Run. Jesse H. Smith, 136th N. Y.; pro. sergt. William H. Smith, 173d N. Y. George Smith, 1st N. Y. cav.; shot in left leg. Stephen Spratt, 123d N. Y. Alexander Spratt, 150th N. Y. David Steer, ship " Pawnee." Phelan Steer, ship " Tallapoosa." Frank Sullivan, 52nd N. Y. Allison Sutton, 4th Metropolitan; pro. corp. ; taken prisoner. Henry S. Thompkins; w. in front of Peters- burg. Thompson Thompson, 1st N. Y. cav.; pro. sergt. William Thompson, 66th N. Y. Manuel A. W. Town- send, ship " Buckthorn." John Tuston, regulars. Joseph Uhlicren, 69th N. Y. Joseph I. Van Alst, 158th N. Y. William Voysey, 51st N. Y.; pro. corp. W. Warren. Isaac P. Weaver, 173d N. Y. ; pro. corp. Oscar J. Wells, 1st fire zouaves. James P. Wells, 24th cav. George and William Wheeler; w. in Wilderness. Martin Willis; cap- tured at Williamsburg May 5 '62. Adolphus White, 9th N. Y. ; w. in the arm at South Mills. Henry White, chief engineer, ship "Ella." Robert T. Wild junior, ship " Seneca." William Willis, surveyor. Martin Willis, capt. 74th N. Y.; pro. brevet major. Benjamin Wood- bury, 15th N. Y. Edward C. Wright, 2rst N. Y. ; w. in the second battle of Fredericksburg, with loss of right leg. Doctor George J. Wright, physician, ship "Galena." NORTH HEMPSTEAD. Julius Anderson, "North Carolina." Charles W. Baxter, 5th N. Y. Thomas Birchell, 145th N. Y.; pro. corp. Al- exander Bond, 119th N. Y. James Brennan, 8th N. J. SOLDIERS IN THE CIVIL WAR. David Brook; k. in the Shenandoah Valley Feb. '64. Thomas Burton, 15th N. Y.; pro. sergt. John Burton; d. of wounds received at Chancellorsville; pro. lieut. Henry Campbell, civil engineers. Theodore Coles, assist- ant quartermaster. John Collan, 158th N. Y. John Col- ler, 32nd N. Y. Alfred Copley; k. at Bull Run. Richard Coller. William Corry, lieut. John Crampton, 5th art. Robert Crawford, 145th N. Y. Andrew Crooker, 5th N. Y. Jeremiah Davis, Harris cav. ; taken prisoner and ex- changed. Tohn L. De Witt, pro. teamster; d. July 21 '64. John H. D~e Mott. Daniel De Witt, 5th N. Y. Edward Dickerson, Harris cav.; pro. sergt. Samuel Dodge, 133d N. Y.; pro. corp. Frank Doremus, 34th N. Y. art. John Dougherty, 107th N. Y. ; k. at Atlanta Aug. 5 '64. Obadiah Downing, lieut. Harris cav.; pro. capt.; captured in a raid by Sheridan; confined in Libby prison. John Dud- ley, 40th N. Y. Charles Edwards, 20th N. Y. James H. Fox, 17th N. Y.. Joseph Francis; k. at Sharpsburg. Wil- liam H. Gibson, 37th Ohio. William H. Grady, 5th art. Thomas Grady. James H. Hall, "North Carolina." Alfred Hall, 5th N. Y. Henry A. Harris, 5th N. Y. William H. and Alfred A. Hayden, 34th bat. James O. Hearne; k. at Spottsylvania. William Hendrickson, isthN. Y.; pro. sergt. Elbert M. Hendrickson; d. of wounds re- ceived Sept. 26 '63; Harris cav. William and John Hew- lett, 5th. Abram Hutchings, sergt. 119th N. Y. Jacob H. Johnson, Harris cav. Dick Jones, 31st N. Y. Jack- son Jones, R. I. George W. Kiersted, sergt., 145th N. Y. James Legan, 5th art. Jordan Lewis jr, 1st Pa. George H. Lewis, 26th N. Y. Henry B. Mcllvaine, 1st lieut. 5th N. Y. art.; pro. major; lieut. col. Daniel McLaughlin, 145th N. Y. John Mackey, 5th N. Y. heavy art. James Mahar, 2nd N. J. cav. Denis Maloney, 176th N. Y; pro. commissary sergt. Willet Miller, 15th N. Y. engineers; pro. sergt; d. May 31 '65. Elbert Miller, N. Y. engineers. George Mothersole, 15th N. Y. Edward B. Mott, 5th N. Y. art. Michael Nolan, 145th N. Y.; pro. corp. Fred- erick Nolan, 145th N. Y. Alfred Noon, 1 19th N.. Y. Benjamin Nostrand, 5th art. — O'Hearn; k. near Spott- sylvania. Joseph Onderdonk, 59th N. Y. ; d. Sept. 17 '64. William Paine, 26th U. S. colored. James Perry, 5th reg. Excelsior brigade; w. at Gettysburg. William Pro- vost, 159th N. Y. ; pro. major. Henry Radcliffe, 25th N. Y. art. Augustus Roily. Charles S. Ruland, 13th N. Y cav.; pro. teamster. William H. Seaman, 5th Excel- sior brigade; w. at Gettysburg. John K. Seaman. John Shaw, 2nd N. Y. cav. Silas Shaw, Harris cav. William K. Smith, N. Y. engineers Daniel Smith. 5th N. Y. Thomas Smith, Harris cav. Townsend Smith, N. Y. engineers. Stephen Smith, 5th N. Y. William Sobey, 5th art. Andrew Speedling, 119th; discharged on account of ill health. William H. Speed- ling, 119th N. Y.; pro. corp. Henry Sticklin, 158th N. Y. Robert Stuart, lieut. 2nd N. Y. cav.; drowned July 30 '63. Jordon Stuyvestant, 5th N. Y. James Sifbey, 119th N.Y. John W. Tyson, 74th N. Y. " John Tyson, 5th reg. Excelsior brigade; w. at Gettysburg. Elbert Van Wielan, 139th N. Y; pro. corp. and sergt. Jacob Van Wielan, 1 6th N. Y. engineers. John Van Wielan, 2nd N. Y. P. A. and John Verity, 15th N. Y.; pro. sergts. Walter D. Verity, 5th art. James Verity, 15th N.Y. William Walker, 145th N. Y. William Welling- ton, 34th N. Y. bat. Thomas Whitmore; d. of wounds received at Fredericksburg, '63. Benjamin Willis, capt., 119th N. Y.; pro major and col. William H. Wood, 2nd N. Y. cav.; pro. sergt.; prisoner 14 months. Samuel Wood; d. in Wilson's raid. Aaron R. Wood, 14th Rhode Island. William Wooden, 26th U. S. colored. OYSTER BAY. George A. Appleford, 4th N. Y. art. Joseph Apple- ford, 2nd N. Y. cav. Willington Appleford, 1 6th N. Y.; w. in hand. Armstrong, Harris cavalry; adjutant of recruits. Joseph Atkins, 159th N. Y.; discharged for disability. Edwin Bailey, 5th N. Y. heavy art. Edward Bailey, 15th N. Y. heavy art. James Baker, 2nd N. Y. cav. William Baker, 17th N. Y., Co. B. Henry Baker, 2nd N. Y. cav. David Baldwin, 122nd N. Y. Silas Bendar, 159th N. Y. Edward Bennett, 2nd N. Y. cav. William L. M. Berger, 1st N. Y.; pro. assistant adjt. gen. John Birdsall, capt., 13th N. Y. cav.; pro. major, [tffer- son Braunch, 159th N. Y.; pro. lieut. Charles Broom- ley, 2nd N. Y. cav.; lost toes of both feet. James H. Brower, 2nd N. J. cav. Josiah C. Brownell, Harris light cav. (2nd N. Y.); captured in a raid by Sheridan. James W. Burtis, col., 5th reg. Sickles brigade; w. at Fair Oaks, '62. Edward Burton, 2nd N. Y. John W. Campbell jr., 2nd N. Y. (Harris light cav.); pro. 2nd lieut. John Casey, 47th N. Y. inf. John Chester. John Coats. George W. Cock, 5th Conn. Alfred Cock, 2nd N. Y. cav. Butler. Coles, 22nd N. Y.; pro. 2nd lieut. Alexander Conklin, 26th N. Y. Edward Cooper, 2nd N. Y., Co. A. Joseph J. Craft. Philip Darley, 107th N. Y. John Davis jr., 12th N. Y.; pro. sergt. Toothill Dayton. Isaac Devoe, 2nd N. Y. cav. ; ca'ptured at the Rapidan, June '63; paroled February '64. Ben- jamin Dickerson, 12th N. Y. George Dickerson, 2nd N. Y cav. Stephen Dodge, 119th N. Y. Patrick Donal- son, 5th N. Y. art. Joseph Donaly, 165th N. Y. (2nd zouaves). Henry Dougherty, 14th regulars. Daniel L. Downing; k. at Brandy Station, Ya., June 6 '63. Ben- jamin Dumire, 15th heavy art. Charles Dumire, 3d N. Y. George Duryea, lieut., 5th (Duryea's) zouaves; pro. lieut. col.; w. at Chickshinny. Henry Duryea, 2nd N. Y. (Harris light) cav.; paroled from Libby prison Feb- ruary '64. Edwin Earl, Duryea's zouaves; pro. to quartermaster's department. Michael Fayah, " Hart- ford." Henry Fisher, 18th N. Y., Co. D. John Flinks- man. Pearsall P. Forkey, 1st N. Y. cav.; pro. sergt. George W. Francis. Jacob Kittle Garribadi; pro. capt. George Germain, 3d assistant engineer; ship " Vander- bilt." Joseph Gibbons, 2nd N. Y. (Harris light) cav. James Golden, 20th N. Y. bat. Ephraim Golden, 2nd N. Y. cav. William Gramer, sergt., Harris light cav. Uriah Hall, 5th N. Y. heavy art.; discharged for disability Feb. i '65. Henry Hall. George W. Hall, 20th N. Y. colored inf.; discharged for disability. John P. Hall. John Hall, 95th N. Y. inf.; w. in foot. James Harris, 10th N. Y. cav. James Harrold, 2nd N. Y. cav.; w. in left arm Feb. '64. John Harper, 20th colored, Co. H. Sherman Hartt, 159th N. Y. William Hawthorn, 2nd cav. John Healey, 13th engineer corps. Rutgers Hege- man, 114th bat.; pro. corp.; w. with a poisoned ball. Andrew Hegeman, 107th N. Y. Elbert Hegeman, 13th N. Y. cav.; pro. lieut. and capt; taken prisoner '64. Harris Heggler, 127th N. Y. Charles Heleuss, 127th N. Y.; lost right arm. L. Hendrickson, 145th N. Y. David Hendrickson, monitor. David Hert, pro. master's mate. Charles Hecks, Berdan's sharpshooters, Co. II. George Hill, 51st rifles. Henry Hoogland, 2nd N. Y. cav. Tim- othy Jackson, 20th N. Y. colored inf. James Jay. Leon- ard W. Jerome, 26th N. Y. cav. Lewis Johnson, 159th N. Y. Joseph Johnson, 2nd N. Y. cav. Charles John- son, ship "Cyane." John B. Johnson, 5th Conn, inf.; pro. corp. Collin J. Johnson, 2nd N. Y. cav. William P. Kay, 3d asst. engineer. William Lattan, Berdans, sharpshooters; pro. corp. Jordan Layton, 2nd N.Y. cav.; pro. quartermaster's clerk. James Luke, 95th N.Y. Nel- son and John McGregor, 127th N. Y. William McKee. John P. Mackey, 2nd N. Y. cav.; discharged for disability. Clarence Malier, 26th colored. Francis B. Mallaby ship " Vanderbilt." Jacob L. Mayber, 2nd N. Y. cav. 72 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. Wait Michel], 41st N. Y. John Henry Miller, paroled from Libby prison Feb. '64. Townsend C. Miller. Peter and Frost Miller. Andrew Mingo. Morgan Murphy, 102nd N. Y.; discharged for disability. James N. Nash, 6th N. Y. heavy art. David Potter, ship " Minnesota;" pro. steward. Cornelius Powell, 5th N. Y. art. Andrew Powell, 145th N. Y.; pro. corp. William H. Prentiss, 4th N. Y. ; discharged for disability in Mar. '65. James R. Rtmsen, 2nd N. Y. cav. Ferris Renade, 5th N. Y. heavy art; discharged on account of disability. James Roach, navy. John Roach, 13th N. Y. cav. Henry Samrnis, 2nd N.Y. cav. Charles Schmidt, 1 6th N. Y. cav. Stephen Seaman jr., 2nd N.Y. cav. Edward S. Seaman, 2nd N.Y. cav. Thomas Sheridan, ship " Cayuga." David Shotwell, 121st N. Y.; w. in left leg. William J. Siebout, 2nd N. Y. cav. James Silbey, 5th N. Y. heavy art. Matthew Siper, 117th N. Y., Co. G. David Smith, 2nd U. S. colored inf. Treadwell Smith, 26th N. Y. John Smith, 2nd N. Y. cav. Charles Somers, w. at Gettysburg. Henry Speek, 103d N. Y. Henry Springer, 2nd N. Y. cav. Dr. William W. Strew, resigned in Oct. '63. John Taylor, 2nd N. Y. cav.; pro. 1st sergt. Thomas Thomp- son and John Thornton, 2nd N. Y. cav. Thomas Thurs- son, 6th N. Y. heavy art, Charles Tilby. Patrick Tol- mey, 31st N. Y. John W. Turner, 90th N. Y. Augustus Tyrrel, 2nd N. Y. cav. D. J. Underhill. Edward Val- entine, monitor. Napoleon Valentine, 1st N. Y. cav ; 1st sergt. James Vernon jr., Harris cav.; k. at Brandy Station June 9 '63. John Vinney, 5th N. Y. Alfred S. Walters. 107th N. Y.; d. Jan. 28 '64. John Wanser, 2nd N. Y., Co. B. John Webster, ship " Keystone State." Isaac Weeks, nth heavy art.; pro. corp. Samuel M. Weeks, lieut. Harris cav. William Weeks, 132nd N. Y. inf. Washington Weeks, 1st N. J. cav. James Wester- ville, 2nd N. Y. cav. Edwin R. Whitney, 2nd N. Y. cav. Abram Wicklin, 158th N.Y. Clinton Williams. Andrew Wilson, 2nd N. Y. cav. OTHERS. Benjamin Areson; w. before Richmond May 31 '64. James A. Betts, 6th Conn.; captured at Winchester and confined in Salisbury prison. W. H. Clark; captured aboard the " Morning Light," Sabine Pass, July '64, and held 26 months at Camp Ford, Texas. Nathaniel Coles, 13th N. Y. cav. W. J. Conn, 6th Mass.; d. at Washing- ton August 9 '64. Asahel Cox; w. June 19 '64, before Petersburg. Skillman Corn well; w. before Richmond. '64. Horatio Dalton; re enlisted March '64 in 98th N. Y. John Dodge; w. at Aldie, Va. Henry Dutcher. Zebulon B. Flowers, 159th N. Y. ; d. of wounds received at Bayou Teche April 14 '63. St. M. Fosdick; cap- tured March 30 '63. William Goodman, 5th reg., Ex- celsior brigade; w. at Gettysburg. William Goodwin; w. at Wapping Heights and d. S. Heasly; w. before Petersburg. Thomas W. Howard, 9th N. Y.; pro. lieut.; w. at Gettysburg. John Kershaw; w. at Spottsylvania. Charles Lerdwig; w. June 19 '64, before Petersburg. W. Markland; w. before Petersburg June 19 '64. Edward McCoy, 5th reg. Excelsior brigade; w. at Gettysburg. Michael McDonald, 119th N. Y.; w. at Mill Creek Gap, Ga. Conrad Mayer; w. before Petersburg June 19 '64. Absalom Mead; missing before Richmond June '64. Thomas B. Mott, corp., 119th N. Y.; w. in both legs at Gettysburg. Frank Palfrey; w. in the Wilderness, '64. S. Parr; w. in the Wilderness, '64. Philip Range, 119th N. Y.; w. at Mill Creek Gap, Ga. Charles E. Roseville; severely w. at Gettysburg. George W. Rudyard, sergt., 119th; k. June 5 '64. John Sawyer; k. at Pine Knob, Ga. Wright Schenck; w. at Pine Knob. Benjamin Sea- man; w. September '64. Stratton V. Smith, 39th Mass.; captured August 19 '64; d. November 16 '64. at Salisbury prison. Charles Shruder, 119th; w. at Mill Creek Gap, Ga. Charles Stubbs; k. September '64. O. J. Townsend, capt., Harris cav.; taken near Richmond, '64. Erastus Webster; k. at Pine Knob, Ga. David Wilson; w. at Gettysburg. Alfred M. Wood, col. 14th N. Y. S. M. ; w. and captured at Bull Run. Joseph Wright; w. at Pine Knob, Ga. C. Wright; re enlisted in March '64 in 89th N. Y. For ready reference we add a recapitulation of those who DIED IN THE SERVICE. FLUSHING. Henry Apple, corp. 1st N. Y.; pro. sergt.; shot on picket duty. Burton Belansee, surgeon U. S. A.; died at his po$t of yellow fever at Morehead City, '64. Biskie. John W. Byrd, 9th N. Y.; d. at Washington Oct. 20 '61. James Byrns, 74th N. Y.; d. Dec. 29 '64, in Flushing. John Carroll, 61st N. Y.; d. in Oct. '63 at Suffolk Hospital. Thomas Conner, 61st N. Y. Benjamin ('overt, 2nd N. Y. art.; d. Nov. 26 '62 at Falmouth. Wil- liam J. ('own, d. Aug. 8 '64, at Arlington Hospital. Wil- liam N. Daniels, 2nd lieut. 53d N. Y.; pro. 1st lieut.; w. at Spottsylvania May 12 '64; d. at Washington June 13 '64. William C. Domidey, 67th N. Y.; pro. 1st lieut. and capt.; k. at Spottsylvania. John Dougherty, sergt. 63d; d. of wounds received at Antietam. James E. Eldred, 74th N. Y.; d. Aug. 4 '64 in Georgia. Charles Erling, nth Mass. John Feeley, 69th N.Y. bat.; d. at Washington Dec. 2 '62. Joseph Fobiskie, 131st N. Y.; d. at New Orleans Aug. 15 '63. George H. Fowle, 15th engineers; d. at Falmouth Jan. '63. Asa A. Fowler, sergt. 61st N. Y. bat.; k. at Fredericksburg Dec. 13 '62. George W. Fowler, 67th N. Y. bat.; pro. corp.; d. May 6 '64, at Alexandria. Thomas M. Grady, Sickles brigade; d. at Fredericksburg May '63. Seth Harpell. 174th N.Y.; d. at Gettysburg July 2 '63. Benjamin Harpell, 158th N. Y.; pro. corp. and sergt.; k. in front of Richmond Oct. 2 '64. John Wesley Hirsman, 2nd Rhode Island; d. of camp fever at New Orleans Aug. 1 '64. George W. Huntsman, 5th N. Y.; pro. corp.; d. at Alexandria Sept. 4 '62. Patrick Hurley, navy; d. of consumption at Ma- rine Hospital Nov. 15 '63. Thomas H. Jenkins, navy; d. Feb. 5 '65 at Brooklyn Hospital. Robert Karz, 58th bat.; d. in Sept. '62 near Winchester. Washington C. Knight, 74th; pro. sergt.; k. at Gettysburg July 2 '63. Philip Maher. John Mara, 99th N. Y.; pro. corp.; died at Richmond Feb. 28 '64. Martin Moore, 5th N. Y.; d. of starvation at Andersonville in Mar. '64. Edward L. Murray, 69th N. Y.; d. of camp fever and starvation at Salisbury prison Dec. 11 '64. Henry Neimer, 4th N. Y.; d. Feb. 8 '64 at Alexandria. Martin Mix, 74th N. Y.; d. May 5 '62 at Williamsburg. Samuel C. Portner, shot at New Orleans. Joseph Rierstead, 2nd N. Y.; pro. corp.; d. Dec. 13 '62 at Falmouth. Charles D. Rossiter, 1st lieut. 33d N. Y.; w. in the last battle at Fredericksburg; d. in May '63. David Shultz, 78th N. Y.; k. at Fort Sanderson Nov. 29 '63. Charles D. Smith, 74th N. Y.; w. July 2 '63 at Gettysburg; d. Sept. 14 '63 at Flushing. George A. Steele, 22nd Mass.; k. at Cold Harbor June 3 '64. Jergen Steenberg, 34th N. Y. bat.; d. in '63. John Stonebanks, 15th N. Y. S. M.; d. at Fort Richmond July '64. George Vix, 29th N. Y.; k. at the second battle of Bull Run, '62. Lorenzo D. Wood, 67th N. Y.; pro. corp.; d. Aug. 15 '63. John Worth, sergt. 34th bat.; d. at Alexandria, Va., in '62. Adam Worth. Robert C. Wright, 74th N. Y.; d. April 7 '65, near Richmond. Val- entine C. Yeric, 58th bat.; d. in Aug. '62 at Sperryville. QUEEN'S UNION SOLDIERS. 73 HEMPSTEAD. William Ackley, 139th N. Y.; September 29 '64, at Chapin's Farm. Daniel Andrews, 102nd N. Y.; at At- lanta, September 26 '64. Treadwell Bedell, 119th N. Y.; June 16 '64, at Brooklyn navy yard. Smith Carman, 78th N. Y. George Carman, 158th N. Y. Sylvester Carmen, 5th heavy art.; July 1 '64, at Petersburg, Va. Walter W. Carpenter, 119th N. Y.; k. at Gettysburg, July '63. Michael Conner, 19th N. Y. ; at Georgetown hospital. Thomas Cornell, 1st N. Y.; December 31 '61. Joseph Doxey, 119th; in '64, at Petersburg. John V. Dunn, May 31 '64, at Hanover Court-house, Va. Jere- miah Fryer, 5th N. Y.; in '62, at Marietta, Ga. William S. Golden, 4th art.; May 19 '63, in Virginia. Joseph Hedges, July 25 '64, at Atlanta. Elbert M. Hendrick- son; September 26 '63, at Whitesford, Va. Harman Hicks, 119th N. Y.; at Nashville, Tenn., June 22 '65. Samuel B. Hicks. Thomas Holmes; February 27 '63. Newbury Jackson, 20th colored; June '64, in Louisiana. Alanson Jackson, nth R. I.; '64, at Yorktown, Pa. William Johnson, 20th colored; July '64. B. F. Lasea, 139th N. Y.; September 27 '64, at Bermuda Hundred, Va. William H. Lloyd, 126th N. Y.; at Harper's Ferry, Va. Peter McMana, 90th N. Y.; in '63, at Gettysburg. Samuel Mathews, 56th N. Y.; September 20 '64, at Beau- fort, S. C. W. R. Mead, 4th art.; May 19 '64, at Spott- sylvania. Joseph Mott, 6th art.; October 13 '64, at Salisbury. Cantridge D. P. Mott, 119th N. Y.; June 16 '64, at Pine Mountain. William Noon, Harris light cav. William F. Painter, 1st Conn, cav.; of typhoid fever, September 2 '64, at Hempstead. Benjamin B. Phillips, sergt., 4th M. R.; September 20 '64, at Andersonville. John H. Pray; February 3 '64, at Peekskill, N. Y. E. R. Raynor, 139th N. Y.; June 10 '64, at White House. Henry Roach, 1st N. Y.; December 13 '62. Charles E. Roswell, 119th N. Y.; July 3 '63, at Gettysburg. Isaac Smawlin, 131st N. Y.; November 9 '63, at Baton Rouge. William H. Smith, 139th N. Y.; October 14 '62, at White House. Asa Smith, 4th art.; June 25 '64 at Petersburg. Vandewier Smith, 139th N. Y. ; k. on picket at Bermuda Hundred, Va., June 2 '62. Samuel Smith, navy; Sep- tember 27 '64, at Key West. John Sowen, 119th N. Y. Frank Stillwell, 67th N. Y. William Storry, 1st N. Y. M. Daniel Van Wicklen, 158th N. Y.; May 22 '65, at Point of Rocks, Va. George Wells, 1st L. C; May 27 '64, at Petersburg, Va. JAMAICA. John Almac, 5th N. Y. John Asaph, 87th N. Y.; Feb. 8 '62, at Washington. Jacob D. Bennett, 40th N. Y.; pro. sergt.; k. May 5 '64, in Wilderness. Richard Brush jr., orderly sergt, 48th N. Y.; June 1 '64, at Jamaica. James Clemington, 2nd N. Y. cav.; Oct. 10 '63, at hospital in Virginia. George E. Cogswell, sergt. 165th N. Y.; April 16 '63, at Camp Parapet, New Orleans. William A. Collins, 6istN. Y.; pro. capt.; k. May 5 '64, at the Wilderness. George T. Crawford, pro. corp. 5th N. Y.; July 21 '63, at Front Royal. Elias Dewitt, 31st Conn; Aug. '64, at Petersburg, Va. Alex. S. Fosdick, 165th N. Y.; pro. sergt.; d. July 1 '63, at New York. Stephen Fosdick, 158th N. Y.; Oct. 14 '64, at New Or- leans. Benjamin Frederick, 158th N. Y.; at Norfolk, Va. Patrick Hoey, 102nd N. Y.; July 19 '62, at Jamaica. John Johnson, 5th N. Y.; Sept. 7 '62, at Alexandria, Va. James A. Kilbourn, 158th N. Y.; pro. corp. and color bearer; died April 2nd '65, at Petersburg, Va. Felix McAleary, 69th N. Y.; k. at Chancellorsville. John McCann, 90th N. Y.; pro. corp. and orderly sergt.; k. in the 2nd battle of Bull Run. Alexander McCremi, 6th N. Y. cav.; died on the field June 3 '64, at Jones Bridge, near Richmond, Va. Benjamin Meeker, 109th N. Y.; Dec. 17 '64, at Petersburg, Va. Nathaniel Nostrand, 158th N. Y.; April 28 '65, at Newbern, N. C. John H - Oake, 15th N. Y.; pro. sergt.; died July 15 '64, at City Point. William Parmage, Wibon's zouaves; pro. sergt.; died at San Rosa Island. John Penoa. Thaddeus Pot- ter, 165th N. Y. ; Dec. 23d '63, at Washington, D. C, of typhoid fever. Charles Snell, 39th N. Y.; died Oct. 5th '64, of hard treatment while a prisoner at Charleston, S. C. George Valentine, 1st Wis. cav.; Aug. '64, at Ja- maica. Pierre V. Van Ness, 67th N. Y.; pro. lieut. Dec. 27 '62; died Dec. 29 '62, at Falmouth. Va. George L. Van Wicklin, 99th N. Y.; Oct. 5 '62, at Key West. Ed- ward W. Walton, 119th N. Y.; Feb. 16 '63, at City Point, Va. NEWTOWN. William H. Bedell, 147th N. Y. Louis Brummer, 5th bat.; k. at Petersburg, September 3, 64. Thomas M. Burke, 1 6th N. Y. heavy art.; at Baltimore, March 14 '65. George W. Burtiss, 4th Metropolitan. John Duffey; k. at Bull Run. Michael Fose. William Frawley, 145th N. Y. Michael Garrwick. William Hawkhurst, 124th N. Y. John S. Vitty; at Bull Run. NORTH HEMPSTEAD. John C. Pollite, 44th Mass.; at Roslyn, L. I., in '61. Charles Wanson, 118th N. Y. ; pro. corp.; d. in '62, in Virginia. Erastus Webster, 119th N. Y. ; pro. orderly; d. in '64, in Georgia. Lanson E. Wicks, 14th R. I.; at New Orleans, July n '64. OYSTER BAY. Samuel Althouse, 20th N. Y. colored; at Riker's Island, February 16 '64. Henry Althouse, 20th N. Y. colored. Thomas Appleford, 2nd N. Y. cav.; December '64, at Harper's Ferry. Charles Baker, corp. 4th N. Y.; Feb- ruary 20 '64, at Baltimore. Alfred Barlon, 2nd N. Y. cav.; August 9 '63. Thomas Bolton, 90th N. Y. Van R. Brush, 102nd N. Y. Augustus Bullman; July '62. John Burton, orderly sergt., 40th N. Y. ; June 4 '61. James Butler; d. while a prisoner at Andersonville, of starvation. Charles Coleman, 20th zouaves. John Dempsey, 2nd N. Y. cav.; February '65. Levi Devoe, 5th N. Y. art.; July 4 '64, at Harper's Ferry. William Dodge, 2nd N. Y. cav.; September 13 '64, at Chat- tanooga. Daniel Dourney, 2nd N. Y. cav.; June 17 '63, at Aldie, Va. Benjamin Hall, Sickles brigade; Septem- ber 1 '62. John Hall, 2nd N. Y. cav.; at Harper's Ferry. James Henry, 33d Mass.; June '64. William Hicks, 1st N. Y., Co. H; September 1 '6i. Charles E. Layton, 2nd N. Y. cav.; in Virginia, of typhoid fever. Thomas Layton, 2nd N. Y. cav.; in Queens county. James Mott, 5th N. Y. art.; at Salisbury. John Powell, 145th N. Y.; September '62. Cornelius Remser, 2nd N. Y. cav.; July 12 '64, of starvation, at Andersonville. James Sheridan, 2nd N. Y. cav.; pro. corp.; d. February '63, in Queens county. Henry Southard, 102nd N. Y.; August '63, at Annapolis hospital. Cornelius Stillwell, 102nd N. Y. ; May 8 '63, at Yorktown. Adolphus Tor- rey, 2nd N. Y. cav.; September '62. William H. Town- send, 2nd N. Y. cav.; September '64, at Petersburg. Oliver Valentine, Excelsior brigade; pro. sergt.; k. at Gettysburg, July '62. Samuel Vennor, 20th N. Y. cav.; died while a prisoner in South Carolina. John Verity, Excelsior brigade; July 2 '64, at Gettysburg. James Vernon, 2nd N. Y. cav.; pro. corp.; died at Brandy Station, in June '63. Alfred Waters, 145th N. Y.J Au- gust '62. Charleton Weeks, 1st N. Y.; February '63. 10 TOWN, VILLAGE AND CITY HISTORIES. THE TOWN AND VILLAGE OF FLUSHING. V^PlE^ '~" sl °^ the seventeenth century was l/jfefS^? crowded with incidents and events of the ilr^flf&S gravest importance to the history of the world at large; and in no quarter of the Jsg) globe was this more noticeably the case than on v/j^ the Western hemisphere. The previous century had given an impetus to the spirit of adventure, and to commercial enterprises, that even the disasters attending the Spanish colonies or the almost ceaseless warfare in Europe had failed to check; and there had sprung up in the hearts of thousands, proscribed and ex- iled for their religious views, the hope that on the shores of America was to be found a haven of spiritual peace and freedom from persecution. That this feeling was prudently fostered by one or two of the European powers is well known to the readers of history, and in this wise and liberal course the States-General of Holland were so far the leaders as justly to entitle that country to the grateful memories of those who to-day enjoy the sunlight of free thought in this land of the free; and it may be well to remark here that, although we shall have occasion to censure the arbitrary acts of local officials, there is no evidence that such acts were other than the unauthorized officiousness of a governor, and there is much to prove that his course was not dictated by orders from the home government, but, rather, was severely censured. The writer is inclined to differ from many American historians as to the influence of certain events o,n the na- tional character, and to believe that to the Dutch settle- ments under the Prince of Orange is due an equal if not a greater effect on the character of our institutions than can be traced to any contemporaneous colony. Ante- dating the Massachusetts settlements nearly a quarter of a century, the Dutch possessions had become influential when that of Plymouth Rock was still struggling against the disadvantage of a sterile forest-covered soil and fighting hostile tribes of Indians; and but eighteen years elapsed after the landing of the " Mayflower " before the growth of New Amsterdam had extended to the locality whose history this article narrates, and the first settler of Vlissingen staked out a home at the head of the bay- That these first settlers were Englishmen does not in. validate our claims as regards the Dutch, as they were English refugees, who came from their temporary resi- dence in Holland, to which they had been driven because of their creed, belonging as they did to the community of Friends or Quakers. There is little doubt, however that the love of their native land proved too strong for their allegiance to the Dutch government, and was a prominent factor in the final transfer of Long Island to the British; one of the instances, not infrequent, where English intolerance and injustice became the cause of her profit, and one which confirms the belief that the author of the famous adage " Honesty is the best policy * was not a Briton, or, if he was, that he did not draw the inspiration for his proverb from a perusal of British his- tory. Settlement and Acquisition of Land. The best attainable data place the first settlement on Flushing Bay at about 1643, and in the next seven years the number of settlers had increased by additions of Friends from Holland, and several who were accredited as coming from the Massachusetts colony, and who were driven here by the practical operation of the strange in- terpretation placed on their boasted motto " Freedom to worship God," by the proprietors of that colony. The oldest official document throwing light on the first settlement of this place — Vlissingen, as it was then called, after a village in Holland in which the English refugees had lived, and of which name Flushing is a corruption — is dated in 1645, and is a charter for a town, granted by Governor Kieft and found embodied in a confirmation granted by the State of New York in 1782. The original manuscript, including a renewal granted by English au- thority in 1685, was lost in the destruction of the town's records by fire in 1789; and on the 24th of February 1792 an exemplification of Flushing patent was issued by THE FLUSHING CHARTER. 75 Attorney-General James Graham, which is now on file in the town hall. The English renewal of Governor Kieft's charter was by Governor Dongan, in the name of James II., the reigning king of England. The tract in question was granted, according to the governor's announcement, in 1666 to John Lawrence, alderman of the city of New York, Richard Cornell, Charles Bridges, William Law- rence, Robert Terry, William Noble, John Forbush, Elias Doughty, Robert Field, Edward Farrington, John Mars- ton, Anthony Field, Philip Udall, Thomas Stiles, Benja- min Field, William Pidgeon, John Adams, John Hinch man, Nicholas Parcell, Tobias Feakes and John Bowne as patentees, for and in behalf of themselves and their associates, the freeholders and inhabitants of the town of Flushing, their heirs, successors and inhabitants, forever, and was described as follows: "All that Certaine Town in the North Riding of York- shire upon Long Island called by the name of Flushing, Scituate, lying and being in the north side of said island; which said hath a Certaine tract of land belonging there- to, and bounded westward beginning at the mouth of a creeke upon the East River known by the name of Flush- ing Creeke, and from thence including a certain neck of land called Tuesneck, to run Eastward from the head or middle whereof a Line is to be run South East; in length about three miles and about two miles in breadth as the Land hath been surveyed and laid out by virtue of an order made at the General Meeting held at the town of Hempstead in the month of March one thousand six hundred and sixty four; then that there may be the same lattitude in Breadth on the South Side as on the North, to run in two direct Lines Southward to the middle of the hills, as is directed by another order made of the General Meeting Aforesaid; which, passing East and West as the two are now marked, is the Bounds be- tween the said Towns of Flushing and Jamaica; for the greatest parte of which said tract of Land and premissess there was heretofore a Pattent granted from the Dutch Governor William Kieft, bearing date the tenth day of October one thousand six hundred and forty five, Stilo Novo, unto Thomas Farrington, John Lawrence, John Hicks and divers other Patentees, their Successors, As- sociates and assignes, for them to improve, manure, and settle a competent number of familyes there upon." The document then recites that on the 14th of April 1684 Elias Doughty, Thomas Willett, John Bowne, Mat- thias Harvey, Thomas Hicks, Richard Cornell, John Hinchman, Jonathan Wright, and Samuel Hoyt, agents of the freeholders of the town of Flushing, to perfect their title, bought from certain Indians who claimed their territory, " all the lands, situate, lying and being on the North Side of Long Island, called and knowne by the name of Flushing, within Queens County, the first bounds whereof begin to the West with Flushing Creeke, to the South by Jamaica Line, to the East by Hempstead Line, and to the North with the Sound, for and in con- sideration of a valuable sume then received." It is further stated that the inhabitants of Flushing and Jamaica agreed upon their boundaries as follows: " That from the foot or bottome of the hills upon the South side the Town of Jamaica shall have Seven Score Rodd upon a direct and straight point unto the hills in all places from the Eastermost Bounds of Jamaica, being at a marked Walnut tree upon Rockie hill, standing upon the West Side of the Road between Flushing and Hemp- stead, to the Westermost Bounds of Jamaica and Flush- ing in the hills;" also that "by another Certaine Writing or agreement, dated the last day of June one thousand six hundred eighty four, made by Elias Doughty, John Seaman, Thomas Willett and John Jackson, the Bounds between the towne of Flushing and Hempstead are to begin at the middle of the bay, where Capt. Jacques runn the line, and to hold the same until it comes to the land Called by the name of the Governor's Land, and then from the South side of the Governor's Land towards the End of the plaine to the former markt tree that stands in the Hollow, and to run from thence upon a direct line unto the Rocky^hill Westerly, where Carts usually goe to Flushing;" also that the patentees and their associates " have, according to the Custom and Practice in this Province, made several divisions, allotments, distinct settlements and improvements of severall pieces and par- cells of the above recited tract," and that application had been made to the governor by Joseph Smith and Jonathan Wright for a confirmation of the patent. In view of these facts Governor Dongan issued the following: " Now, for a Confirmation unto the present Freeholders and Inhabitants of the said Towne, their heirs and As- signs, in the Quiett and peaceable possession and enjoy- ment ot the aforesaid Tract of Land and premises, KnowYee that, by virtue of the Commission and Author- ity, 1 have ratified, Confirmed and Granted unto Thomas Willett, John Lawrence Seignor, Elias Doughty, Richard Cornell, Moriss Smith, Charles Morgan, Mary Fleake, Wouter Gisbertson, John Masten, John Cornelis, John Harrison, Denius Holdron, John Hinchman, William Yeates, Joseph Thorne, John Lawrence Junior, Matthias Harveye, Harmanus King, John Farrington, Thomas Williams, Elisabeth Osborn, Joseph Havyland, John Washborne, Aaron Cornelis, John Bowne, William Noble, Samuel Hoyt, Madeline Frances Barto, John Hoper, Thomas Ford, John Jenning, John Embree, Jonathan Wright, Nicholas Parcell, William Lawrence, Richard Townly, Edward Griffin Junior, John Lawrence at the Whitestone, Henry Taylor, Jasper Smith, Richard Wilday, Thomas Townsend, John Thorne, Anthony Field, John Adams, Richard Stockton, James Whittaker, Hugh Cop- perthwaite, Richard Chew, James Clement, Margaret Stiles, Samuel Thorne, Thomas Hedges, William Hav- iland, Thomas Hicks, John Terry, David Patrick, James Feake, Thomas Kimacry, Phillip Udall, Thomas Davis, Edward Farrington, Thomas Farrington, Matthew Far- rington, John Field, Joseph Hedger, John Talman, Wil- liam Gael, William White, Elisabeth Smith, Thomas Partridge, William Hedger and Benjamin Field, the pres- ent freeholders and Inhabitants of the said Towne of Flushing, their heires and Assignes for Ever, all the before recited tract and parcell or neck of land set forth, limited and bounded as aforesaid by the aforementioned patent, Indian deed of sale, and agreements; together with all and singular the houses, Messuages, Tenements, Fencings, Buildings, Gardens, Orchards, Trees, Woods, Underwoods, Highways and Easements whatsoever be- longing or in any ways appertaining to any of the afore recited tract, Parcell or neck of land, divisions, Allott- ' ments and settlements made and appropriated before the day and date hereof. * * * And as for and concern- ing all and every such parcell or parcells, tract or tracts of Land and Meadow Remainder of the Granted prem- 70 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. issess not yet taken up or appropriated to any particular person or persons before the day of the date hereof, to the use and behoof of the purchasers above recited and to their heires and assigns for Ever, to be Equally divided in proportion to the above recited Inhabitants and Free- holders aforesaid and to their respective heires and as- signes for Ever, without any let, hindrance or molestacion, to be had or reserved upon pretence of joint tenancy or survivorship, or anything herein Contained to the Con- trary in anywise notwithstanding: To be holden of his Most Sacred Majesty, his heires and successors, in free and Common Socage, according to the tenure of East Greenwich in the Kingdom of England, Yielding there- fore and paying Yearely and Every Yeare an acknowl- edgement or Quit-rent to his Majesty, his heires and suc- cessors as aforesaid, or to such officer or officers as shall by him or them be appointed to receive the same, at New Yorke, in lieu of all services and demands whatsoever, Six- teen bushels of good Marchantable winter whcate on Every five and twentieth day of March." Attached to this is the official indorsement of George Clinton, governor of the State of New York, bearing the date of February 24th 1792 and the great seal of the State; well named, as it is nearly half an inch in thick- ness and three and one half inches in diameter, made of wax and covered with paper. Subsequent events seemed to prove that the charter granted by Governor Kieft was one which, while it fully guaranteed the freedom of its recipients from any more burdensome exactions than the patent confirmed by the British governor, was a source of annoyance to Kieft's successor in office, as the sturdy independence of the patentees led them to resist any encroachments of the governor upon their vested rights and to refuse to render to the colony any assistance other than that nominated in the bond. The Indians mentioned in the above instrument were the chiefs of the Matinecock tribe, once very numerous and whose principal settlements within the town limits were at Little Neck and Bayside, at which places they " dried " oysters and clams for winter use, and engaged in the manufacture of wampum of a very superior quality^ which was the circulating medium of the locality for many years. In fact the Matinecocks operated the first mint ever opened on the island, and, though its raw ma- terial was not intrinsically valuable, yet the coin, even though made of sea shells, was the natural progenitor of the " fiat money " idea that is now attracting attention among financiers. So full a description of this tribe is given elsewhere in this volume that no more space need be devoted to the subject in this article, further than to say that here as elsewhere the edict " Move on " was early enforced, and that the annals of the period of which we are now writing make but slight allusion to them. It is, however, a credit to the pioneers of Flushing that they conceded to the poor red man some title to the soil; and that though, as Mandeville relates, the price paid for the fee simple was only one axe or its equivalent for each fifty acres, yet the present owners of the soil can trace their titles untainted by the robbery by which so much of the landed wealth of America was wrested from the aborig- ines. The extensive vlaies or salt meadows were proba- bly among the inducements which led the agricultural people by whom the town was settled to locate here, as within four years after the date of the charter a writer described the town as a handsome village, tolerably stocked with cattle. Civil Troubles. The earliest date of any event of importance to the new town is January 17th 1648, when John Townsend, Ed- ward Hart, Thomas Styles, John Lawrence and John Hicks were summoned to appear before Governor Stuy- vesant and council on January 23d as " the principal per- sons who resist the Dutch mode of choosing sheriffs, pre- tending it is against the adopted course in the fatherland, and who refuse to contribute their share of the mainten- ance of the Christian, pious Reformed minister, and if they refuse, to be apprehended and prosecuted by the at- torney-general." This was the first symptom of resist- ance to Stuyvesant's bigotry and oppression. Another entry from the court records is as follows: "April 8th 1648. — Thomas Hall, an inhabitant of fflishingen, in New Netherland, being accused that he pre- vented the Sheriff of fflishingen to do his duty and exe- cute his office in apprehending Thomas Heyes, which Thomas Hall confessed that he kept the door shut so that noe one might assist the Sheriff, demands mercy and promise he will do it never again and regrets very much that he did so. The director general and Council doing Jus- tice condemn the said Thomas Hall in a fine of 25 guilders, to be applied at the discretion of the council." On the 22nd of April 1655 Thomas Saul, William Lawrence and Edward Farrington were appointed magis- trates from a list of persons nominated by the town; and Tobias Feake was appointed sheriff. The sentence of Henry Townsend (who had been a highly respected resident of the town, then living in Ja- maica, or Rudsdorp as it was called by the Dutch\ on the 15th of September 1647 for having called together con- venticles aroused the freedom-loving people of both towns to unite in a remonstrance, dated December 27th in the same year, and resulted in the arrest of Sheriff Feake, Magistrate Farrington and Town Clerk Edward Hart. Feake was degraded from office and sentenced to banishment, or to pay a fine of two hundred guilders. Farrington sued for and obtained pardon, and on a peti- tion from Hart, who showed that he was only acting in the matter as a scrivener, he was excused on payment of costs. Town meetings were then forbidden " except for highly interesting and pressing reasons," and in an order of March 26th 1658 Governor Stuyvesant, after bestow- ing his formal pardon on the town for its " mutinous orders and resolutions," says: " In future I shall appoint a sheriff acquainted not only with the English and Dutch languages, but with Dutch practical law; and in future there shall be chosen seven of the most reasonable and respectable of the inhabitants, to be called tribunes and townsmen, whom the sheriff and magistrates shall consult in all cases; and a tax of twelve stiver sper morger is laid on the inhabitants for the support of an orthodox FLUSHING AND THE GOVERNOR— BUSINESS BEGINNINGS. 77 minister, and such as do not sign a written submission to the same in six weeks may dispose of their property at their pleasure and leave the soil of this government." This was in direct violation of the town charter, which gave the people the right of choosing their own civil officers, and full liberty of conscience; yet so ob- stinate had the sturdy old Knickerbocker become, in his attempt to establish a State church, that he did not allow that trifling circumstance to affect his course in the least. His enmity toward the English settlers, dating back to the protest of 1653, in which John Hicks and Tobias Feake represented the town, led to an arbitrary exercise of his power. This, although unsustained by the home government, destroyed the sympathy for and loyalty to the States-General on the part of many who were in- clined to be grateful for past favors; and in 1662 Flush- ing became one of the English towns which in conven- tion at Hempstead offered their allegiance to the British colony of Connecticut. It was accepted by that colony, and steps were taken to protect the newly acquired ter- ritory from the claim of its late masters. The new asso- ciation proved, in many respects, unsatisfactory. The authors of the Blue Laws seemed inclined to regard their new friends rather in the light of vassals than equals; and the enforcement of the Duke of York's claim on Long Island, by its capture by the British in 1664, was welcomed by the English-born residents, and toler- ated by the Dutch and French, as an epoch that must restore their chartered rights. The tyrannical theories that proved the ruin of the Stuarts were then in full force, and the instruments of their power in America were chosen to carry them into effect. The inhabitants of Yorkshire, as the island was then called, saw no reason to congratulate themselves on a speedy recognition of their rights, but were soon in a position of passive hostility to the governor; in 1666 the wealthy and scholarly William Lawrence was arrested and fined heavily for seditious language, and four years later Governor Lovelace ordered the protest of the town against the unauthorized exactions of his government publicly burned on the court-house square at Jamaica. Growth of Population and Business. An important event of this period was the settlement hereof a small number of Huguenot families, who, driven from France by the revocation of the edict of Nantes, had found a temporary refuge in Holland, and, at the advice of the authorities there, made part of a cargo of emigrants who located in different parts of the Dutch possessions. There are no traces of their participation in local politics, but to this day their old homes are marked by the bell pear and lady apple trees set out by them, and their introduction of these and other fruits from sunny France gave an impetus to horticulture that has led to results of the greatest importance. Love of their native land was their peculiar characteristic; and when, after a residence of some twenty years, a change of administration made their return safe, they, with but few exceptions, took advantage of the earliest opportunity to dispose of their estates here, and once more turn their faces toward their own vine-clad hills. The only names of these settlers that have come down to us are Jean Apree, Jean Gienon, Fre Braton, De Wilde, Esmond and Embre, the last of whom was the founder of the Embre families of Flushing and of Chester county, Pa; the others not appearing in the annals of this locality at a later date than 1690. In 1672 Flushing, by a vote of its town meeting, re- fused to assist in the repair of the forts on the coast, giving as a reason therefor that any such concession heretofore made by the people had been claimed as a right by the governor, whose excessive taxation and dis- regard of the good of his Majesty's subjects had become intolerable. The year 1673 witnessed the recapture of New York by the Dutch, and the acquiescence of Flushing in its results. Francis Bloctgoct was chosen magistrate, and in March 1674 a commission was given by the governor- general to him as chief of the inhabitants of the Dutch nation residing in the villages Vlissingen, Heemstede, Rusdorp and Middleburgh, and the places belonging to these districts; by which he is commanded to communi- cate to said inhabitants that they on the first notice of the enemy's arrival, or on the arrival of more ships than one, shall at once march well armed toward the city. The peace of 1674 restored Flushing to the British, and up to 1680 no important political events transpired. In that year the town voted to Governor Dongan a gif t of land adjoining a tract that had been given to him by one of the neighboring towns. In 1690 occurred the usurpation of Leisler, whom the people of Flushing re- fused to recognize, despite a display of force made by him with a view of intimidating them. The closing years of the century were, except for religious difficul- ties, unmarked by any event of especial interest. Trade had been opened with New York, by means of large boats, the first of which was owned by a man who started a small barter store at the landing. It was a large canoe, purchased from the Indians at Bayside, and it is said to have been able to carry a hogshead of molasses and eight or ten persons at one time. The early products of the locality were wheat, tobacco, Indian corn, and live stock; while the oysters and clams that abounded in the bays and inlets proved a godsend to a class too un- settled in character to devote themselves to the pursuits of agriculture. Business alliances were being formed in the city that laid the foundation of some of the most noted commercial and monetary interests of New York, and the seventeenth century closed on a people alive to their own rights, enterprising and sagacious, and success- ful in a pecuniary point of view to an extent rarely wit- nessed in the first half century of a colony's existence. One reason for this was that the first settlers were not poor in the sense in which the word usually applies to immi- grants. It was not penury but persecution that drove them here; and the fact that the Lawrences, Bownes, Hickses and others were what in those days were termed wealthy men aided largely in building up the youog settle- 78 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. ment. Two of the landmarks of that century remain, carefully guarded by the citizens of the village — one the old Bowne house, a solidly built frame house, erected by John Bowne in 1 66 1 , the other the Friends' meeting- house, built in 1695. Besides the names of the patentees Henry Onderdonk jr. furnishes the following list of heads of families in the town at different times from 1645 to 1698: Poulas Amerman, Thomas Applegate, Derrick, John and Elbert Areson, Anthony Badgley, Cornelius Barne- son, William Benger, Rudolf Blackford, George Blee, John, Elizabeth and Francis Bloodgood, Bernardus Bevon, Dirick Brewer, Moses Brown, Lyman Bumptill, Francis Burto, Widow Cartright. William Chadderton, John Clement, Rebecca Clery, Nathaniel Coe, William Danford, Obadiah Dewitt, Lawrence Douse, Sarah and Francis Doughty, Deborah Ebell, John Esmond, Edward Feake, John Firman, William Fowler Weaver, William Fowler Carpenter, John Furman, John Forbosh, John Genung, John Gelloe, John Glover, Lorus Haff, Thomas Hall, Garrif Hansom, Edward Hart, John Harrington, John Harrison, Matthias Haroye, John Heeded, Gerrit Hendricks, Powell Hoff, Benjamin Hubbard, Nathan Jeffs, Josiah Jenning, John Jores, George Langley, Madalin Lodew, John Man, Michael Millner, William Owen, Elias and Joseph Palmer, Mary Perkins, Arthur Povvel, Edward Rouse, Abraham Rich, Thomas Runbey, John Ryder, Walter Salter, Henry Sawtell, William Sils- bee, Nicholas and Robert Snether, Mary Southick, Thomas Stevens, William C. Stiger, Richard Stocton, Samuel Tatem, Dr. Henry Taylor, John and Robert Terry, Sfmon Thewall, Richard Tindall, Edward Van Skyagg, Ellen Wall, William Warde, Richard Weller, Richard Wilday, Thomas Willde, Martin Wiltse. The population of the town in 1700 could not have been far from five hundred, including slaves, of which there were about forty. The settlements were Flushing, Whitestone, Lawrence's Neck and Bay Side. A block- house had been built at what is now the corner of Union street and Broadway in Flushing village; it was known as the Guard-house, and was used as an arsenal and for the temporary detention of criminals on the way to the county jail. Grist-mills were built on several of the streams. A regular disciple of Esculapius, Dr. Henry Taylor, had settled here. A road to Brooklyn by the head of the vlaie through Jamaica was opened and used to some extent, but for general purposes canoes and pirogues down the East River were the connecting links with New York, and a taste for commercial ventures by water was growing which has since led to important re- sults. During the first half of this century several small potteries were established. The Prince nursery was opened, and in 1745 an Episcopal church was founded, which was chartered by Governor Colden as St. George's Church in 1761, and a church edifice erected in the fol- lowing year. Religious Persecutions and Controversies. The pioneers of Flushing, having felt the keen blasts of proscription and outlawry for their religious views, sought Long Island as a permanent refuge, relying on the known liberality of the government ot Holland, which had pur- chased for its subjects the prize of religious liberty at a terrible cost of blood and treasure, and was inclined to accord the privileges it had gained to the oppressed of every nation. It was therefore with surprise arid alarm that the people of Vlissingen found that within three years after the grant of their charter the Dutch governor sought to enforce arbitrary and uncalled for restrictions upon them, as well as to force on them the maintenance of a Reformed clergy. The governor having arranged for the support of a State church — that of Holland — by the taxation of the people, the Quakers refused to submit, urging the plea that the law was one binding their consciences; and, see- ing in this rebellion against his authority, the arbitrary Dutchman, despite the fact that his country had always allowed the largest liberty to the consciences of its people, commenced a system of proscription and persecution. The arrest of John Townsend, Edward Hart, Thomas Styles, John Lawrence and John Hicks, in 1648, was followed by a series of petty persecutions, culminating September 15th 1657 in the arrest and punishment of Henry Townsend, who was condemned to pay a fine of Flanders for having called together Quaker meetings. This aroused the indignation of the people of Jamaica and Flushing, and at a large assembly they adopted the following spirited remonstrance to Governor Stuyvesant: " Right Honorable — You have been pleased to send up unto us a certain prohibition or Command that we should not retaine or entertaine any of those people called Quakers, because they are supposed to be by some seducers of the people. For our part we cannot Con- demn them in this Case, neither can we stretch out our hand against them to punish, banish or persecute them; for out of Christ God is a Consuming fire, and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Wee desire therefore in this Case not to judge, least we be judged, neither to Condemn least we be Condemned; but rather let every man stand or fall to his own Maister. Wee are commanded by the Law to do good unto all men, Especially to those of the household of Faith. And though for the present we seem to be insensible of the law and the Lawgiver, Yet when death and the law assault us, if wee have our advocate to seeke who shall plead for us in this case of conscience betwixt God and our own souls, the powers of this world can neither as- sest us neither excuse us; for if God justifye who can condemn ? and if God Condemn there is none can justi- fye. And for those Jealousies and suspicions Which some have of them, that they are destructive unto Magis- tracy Sz Ministerye [this] Can not bee; for the magistrate hath the sword in his hand and the minister hath the sword in his hand — as witnesse those two Great Examples which all magistrates and ministers are to follow, Moses and Christ, whom God raised up, maintained and defended against all the Enemies both of Flesh and Spirit, and therefore that which is of God will stand and that which is of man will come to nothing. And as the Lorde hath taught Moses, or the Civil Powers, to give an outward liberty in the state by the law written in his hearte for the good of all, and can truly judge who is good, who is evil, who is true and who is false, and can pass definite sentence of life or death against that man which rises up against the fundamental law of the States-General; Soe he hath made his ministers a savour of life unto life and a savour of death unto death. The laws of Love, Peace and Liberty in the State extending to Jews, Turks and Egyptians, as RELIGIOUS PERSECUTIONS AND CONTROVERSIES. 79 they are considered the sonnes of Adam, which is the glory of the outward state of Holland, soe Love, Peace and Liberty extending to all in Christ Jesus Condemns hatred, War and Bondage; And because our Saviour sai th it is impossible but that offences will come, but woe unto him by whom they Cometh, our desire is not to of- fend any of his little ones in whatsoever form, name or title hee appears in, whether Presbyterian, Independent, Baptist or Quaker, but shall be glad to see anything of God in any of them, desiring to doe to all men as wee desire that all men should do unto us, which is the true law both of church and state, for our Saviour saith this is the law and the prophets. Therefore if any of these said persons come in love unto us we cannot in conscience lay violent hands upon them, but give them free egresse and regresse into our Town and houses as God shall persuade our consciences. And in this we are true subjects both of Church and state, for we are bound by the law of God and man to doe good unto all men and evil to noe man. And this is according to the pattent and charter of our Towne, given unto us in the name of the States-Generall, which we are not willing to infringe and violate, but shall hold to our pattent and shall remain your humble subjects the inhabitants of Vlissingen. — Written this 27th of December in the year 1657, by mee Edward Hart, Clerk. Tobias Feake, William Noble, Nicholas Parsell, William Thome signior, Michael Milner, William Thorne junior, Henry Townsend, Nicholas Blackford, George Wright, Edward Terk, John Foard, Mirabel Free, Henry Bamtell, John Stoar, Nathe Cole, Benjamin Hubbard, Edward Hart, John Maidon, John Townsend, Edward Farring- ton, Philip Ed, William Pidgion, George Blee, Elias Doughtie, Antonie Field, Rich'd Horton, Nathaniel Coe, Robert Field sen., Robert Field jr., Tobias Feake, the Sheriff. The governor, not disposed to listen to such Scriptural admonition, caused, as has been stated, the arrest of the supposed leaders in the meeting and continued his course. Henry Townsend was fined £100 Flanders for lodging Quakers again and again, which he unconditionally con. fessed; the town government was changed and for five years the arbitrary course was continued, culminating in the arrest of John Bowne for attending Quaker meetings He refused to pay the fine of ^25 Flanders, was thrown into prison, and after being kept there for about a year was transported to Holland for the welfare of the com munity and " to crush as far as possible that abominable sect, who treat with contempt both the political magis- trates and the ministers of God's holy Word, and endeavor to undermine the police and religion." On presenting his case to the West India Company at Amsterdam they declined to favor such arbitrary measures, and treated him in the most conciliatory man- ner; and in their next dispatch rebuked Stuyvesant as follows: "Although it is our desire that similar or other sectarians may not be found there, yet, as the contrary seems to be fact, we doubt very much whether rigorous proceedings against them ought not to be discontinued; unless indeed you intend to check and destroy your population, which in the youth of your existence ought rather to be en- couraged by all possible means. Wherefore it is our opinion that some connivance is useful, and that at least the consciences of men ought to remain free and un- shackled. Let every one remain free as long as he is modest, moderate, his political conduct irreproachable, and as long as he does not offend others or oppose the government. This maxim of moderation has always been the guide of our magistrates in this city, and the conse- quence has been that people have flocked from every land to this asylum. Tread thus in their steps and we doubt not you will be blessed." This message had the effect of moderating the gover- nor's zeal and rendering inoperative his orders dated in 1661, wherein he forbade the holding of any religious services other than those of the Reformed Church, on penalty of a fine of fifty guilders on each person attend- ing — the fine to be increased with each violation and the fourth conviction to be visited with exemplary punish- ment. The change from Dutch to British rule in 1664 brought no relief, and in 1667 we find that William Bishop had "spoken seditious words at a publique meeting of ye Inhabitants of the Towne of Fflushing on ye 3d of this instant month." The complainant was one Captain Richard Betts, who declared that, after the governor had offered to furnish the people with powder and take fire- wood in exchange for it, he heard Bishop say that there was " another cunning trick." Bishop confessed the discourtesy, and was sentenced to be made fast to the whipping-post, " there to stand with rodds fastened to his back during the sitting of the court of Mayor and Aldermen, and from thence to be carryed unto the Com- monGoole [jail], until further order." On the 30th of October 1701 Samuel Haight, John Way and Robert Field petitioned in behalf of themselves and other Quakers of Queens county, setting forth that they were refused the right to vote in local affairs be- cause they would not take the oath. It is not known what effect this petition had, but it is certain that the Duke of York, in his instructions to Governor Dongan, gave most explicit instructions to molest no one by reason of differing opinions on matters of religion. It was not until a much later date that this bigoted persecution ceased; for we find that on the 29th of November 1702, at a half-yearly meeting of the Quakers at Flushing, the missionary preacher, Samuel Bownas, was arrested and required to give bail in the sum of two thousand pounds, the court expressing its willingness to accept his own recognizance for one-half the amount. He refused, saying, " If as small a sum as three half- pence would do, I should not do it," and was consequently sent to jail. On the 28th of December the court met, and his case was presented to the grand jury, who re- turned the bill "indorsed, 'Ignoramus'." The presid- ing judge was very angry and uttered severe threats against the jury, when James Clement, of Flushing, promptly administered a scathing rebuke. They were sent back to reconsider the case, and again returned the same reply. They were then dismissed and the unfortun- ate Quaker remanded to prison. A Scotch shoemaker living near the jail, although a churchman himself, sym- pathized with Bownas and taught him to make and re- pair shoes, and thus afforded him a means of securing many comforts by his own exertions; for he succeeded, 8o HISTORY 01- QUEENS COUNTY. as he relates in his diary, in earning fifteen shillings a week. During his imprisonment he was visited by the Indian king and three of his chiefs, who were puzzled to know why he should be so punished if he worshiped the same Great Spirit as did the other pale-faces, and why they should shut him up and leave bad white men at large. In the autumn of 1703 the court again as- sembled and the case was presented to another grand jury, who returned the papers indorsed, as before, " Ignoramus." On the next day he was liberated and " a large body of dear friends had him with them in a kind of triumph !" He had spent eleven months in jail. It was not until the stirring events of the French wars drove petty interference with the rights of the people out of the minds of the English governors that those who refused to favor the Episcopal mode of worship were allowed much peace. Fines, illegal assessments, im- prisonment and banishment were the arguments em- ployed, and finally a plan was adopted the cool malevo- lence of which was worthy of a Machiavelli. No mar- riages were to be recognized save those performed by the Church of England, and persons married by other forms were to be arrested for adultery, which was actually done in some cases; so that in the court records of those days an indictment or charge of adultery is more likely to be an evidence of the accused's membership in the society of Friends than of his moral obliquity. Mandeville, in his " Flushing, Past and Present," has a list of sums taken from Quakers December 1st 1756. pursuant to two acts of the Assembly of the province of New York. It includes the following names and amounts: John Thorn, £2; James Burling, James Bowne, ^2; Benjamin Doughty, ^2; Stephen Hedger, £2; Daniel Bowne, £2; James Persons, ^2; Daniel Lathum, £2; Samuel Thome, £2; Caleb Field, ^2; John Thorne, jQi. The result of the persecution was what has been the case for all time; the proscribed sect grew andhasnever been without a place of meeting and the means of grace, while the churches upheld by the sword of man failed to find a hold on the hearts of the people until after that sword had been withdrawn. Incidents of Trade and Agriculture. The old account book of John Bowne, commenced in 1656 and carried down by his son Samuel to 1702, affords an amusing and instructive view of the primitive habits and simple wants of the people of their day, and a few extracts from its pages will at least serve as a contrast to some of the extensive monied operations with which many of the citizens of Flushing at the present are familiar. Bowne was an enlightened and thrifty farmer, served as county treasurer in 1683, and in 1691 was elected to the Assembly. He is believed to have acted as a sort of agent for his neighbors, or as a merchant on a small scale, keeping up a correspondence with merchants in " Man- hattans," as New York was then called; and he made and sold cider extensively for the times, shipping it to his old friend William Penn, the founder of Philadelphia, who once paid him a visit here. When this account book was commenced paper money was unknown and coin very scarce. Wampum or " se_ want," as the Dutch called it, was the measure of values and payments were also made in labor, beaver skins, pro- duce (called "country pay ") and the like. Tobacco, however, seemed to have a cash value, and was eventually adopted as the medium of exchange. Weights, measures and values were given in Dutch. Henry Onderdonk jr. has explained them as follows: "A guilder, marked g., seems to be about 6 pence; a stiver, marked St., a farth- ing. The precise value is not very clear, but 20 stivers make a guilder. The skepel was about 3 pecks; the anker, 4 gallons; the much, about a gill. Dutch and English weights and measures differed though sometimes called by the same names." The most striking entries in this old business record, with their dates, are as follows: 1656. — R. Stockton dr., Salt I lent you, 2 of our little kettlefuls. 1658, May 5. — John Ford dr. for 1^2 bushels peas, 3 days work at harvest, when I shall call him. 1659, — Nich. Parcells dr., 117 good, substantial 5-hole chestnut posts; also the rending out of 200 rails. 1668. — Dr. for a scythe I sold him for to cleave me out 400 good rails, I finding the timber. 1660, Dec. 5.— Due me from father, £2 14s., to be paid in threshing of wheat at 7d. a bushel, and stubbing of ground at i6d. an acre, or as I think it worth. 1661, May 30. — Sarah Cornwellis [Cornelius) hired with me to do one year's service for 70 guilders in wampum pay ($8.40). Humphrey Trimble cr. one day's work, 30 stivers; 1 day at harvest, 2 guilders, due him in wampum. 1663, June. — Wm. Orins has 3 lbs. sheep's wool for shoeing and bleeding of my mare one whole year; one pint of liquor, is. 6d.; about a lb. bacon, 6d.; one cheese, is. 3d. A quire of white paper to John Houlden, schoolmaster, is. 6d. Saml. Mills, dr. one day's mowing for 2 combs; 2 combs at 2 pecks wheat. A. Cornelius, dr., half b. wheat for 2 combs. 1667. — I sent to Govert by Joseph, the boatman (Feb.) 3 skepels of peas for brother Underhill and one for my- self. 1668. — I bo't at Govert's 8 lbs. of sugar, at a guilder a lb. In 1667 I owed Govert within a few stivers of 100 guilders. 1668. — Bought of David the turner, one winch for a wheel, 2g.; 6 chairs and a bottom for an old chair at 58g., to be paid at the crop in peas at 5g. a skepel, or Indian corn at 4g. a skepel at York; or in hogs, fat or lean, if we can agree. Agreed with David for what chairs I will at 4g. apiece for the bigger, and 5ost. for the children's, to be paid in lean hogs before winter (as they are worth with us) upon sewant account. John Sprong being to act for them. If we can't agree he is to choose one man and I another to make the price be- tween us. 1670. — Two quarts liquor at 3 pecks wheat, 3s. 9d. Rum at harvest, 3s. Load of thatch at half a day's work. Henry Gardner owes for a can of vinegar 10s. John Sprong's hogshead of tobacco is paid for by 6 loads of hay. 1672, Dec — John Marston, dr. Three loads hay from the south; for the hay, carting and stacking, in all, £4. July. — Bought a deerskin from the shoemaker at 2 skepels of peas; cotton wool at iod. a pound; sugar at JOHN BOWNE'S ACCOUNT BOOK. Si iod. a pound. [It will be noticed that the accounts are now kept in English money.] Jane Chatterton dr., 9 lbs. sugar at 6d. a lb.; wheat, 4s. a bushel. John Feke dr., by 3 days riding in the woods to seek his stray mare, 15s. if ever she be found. In 1668 there is a memorandum of his account as col- lector of taxes. As they were usually paid in produce there was either a town barn, or the collector furnished storage, charging for it. In 1684 he sums up an item of his business as county treasurer, as follows: "Waste of corn (by shrinkage), 7s. 6d.; Indian corn lost in measure, 20s.; carting corn in Flushing, 7s. 6d.; to chamber-room for corn, 20s.; collector's salary, 14s. 4d." 1674, March. — Hay-dust ' sold Dr. Taylor, 12 bush, at is. a bush. May. — A fat cow, ^4 3s. 4d., to Mynard, the shoemaker. 1675, Oct. — John Baylie, 8 lbs. wool for so much flax, Dutch weight. 1676, — N. Sneden dr., 8 good cider barrels, with broad hoops, for a cross-cut saw; a washing tub for a file. 1678. — Abm. Ogden cr., weaving 31 yards of linen, at 8d. a yard; 29 yards woolen, at 7d. a yard; 3 days reap- ing, at 2s. 6d. a day. 1680, Nov. 27. — Dorothy Bowne went to Mary Willis's. Her things are: 8 handkerchiefs, 3 white and one black hood, 8 caps, 3 pair sleeves, 5 headbands, 4 aprons, 2 pair stockings, 2 new shifts, 4 petticoats, 2 waistcoat^. 1680. — Account of charges for John Clay in his sick- ness and at his burial; 2 oz. cloves and mace, 4s.; 1% oz. nutmegs, 2s. 2d.; 6 lbs. currants, 4s. 6d.; 25 lbs. sugar, 9s. 4/^d.; 2 galls, rum, 6s.; 6 lbs. butter, 3s.; coffin, 6s. 1681. — Due Edw. Burling, 6 bush. Indian corn or one barrel cider, which he pleaseth. Due John and Elias Burling, cr. by ringing pair of wheels, 15s. August. — I sold Geo. Lambert a mare for ^5 in money and a mus- tard bowl; and a grey mare to John Newbold for ^3 5s. Old England money. 1683. — Wm. Penn dr., 4 barrels boiled cider, at 30s. each; 3 barrels raw cider, at 15s. each; 36 bush, hay- dust, at 2s. a bush. 1683. — Martha Joanna's 30 weeks' schooling and what else is paid for by a red petticoat to E. C. (Elisabeth Covvperthwaite ?) 1685. — John Adams cr. by making 28 rods of stone wall at is. 6d. a rod; 4 days cutting thatch, 10s; 2^2 days walling, 6s.; dressing 2 cows, 4s.; for 30 shingles, 9d. 1687. — Maria Feake, dr., canoeing and carting home 3 loads hay, 16s.; cr., making 10 shifts, 15s.; 3 petticoats, 10s.; 2 weeks spinning, 10s.; making 5 shirts and knit- ting 2 pair stockings. [This woman was the deserted wife of Tobias Feake, the ex-sheriff, who ran away to Holland with another woman, to the great scandal of the community. She kept a farm, tried to pay his debts, and raised a family of his children, retaining the respect of all her neighbors. It will be seen that the prices paid for her work were large, compared to the prevailing rates of men's wages. It was probably the good old Quaker's way to cover up a charitable act and relieve her from the humiliation attending a direct gift.] April 20 — Jona. Wright, for cart hire, 1 day reaping or mowing. For 6 pecks oats, in reaping to satisfy me in reason; 3 days mowing for one pair worsted hose. Chas. Mordan, dr., for hay and fodder, one good day's mowing or reaping. A doz. almanacs, 4s.; neck of veal, 6d. 1687. — Dr. Simon Cooper, cr., for letting Daniel's blood, is.; wormseed, is.; two journeys from Oyster Bay to Flushing, 24s.; 5 plasters, 5s.; 7 doz. pills, 14s. ; 2 bottles cordials, 10s.; salve and cere-cloth, 3s.; a purge, 2s. 6d.; drawing a tooth, is. Paid Dr. Taylor for com- ing to let James's blood, 3s. 6d. 1690. — Declined Ri. Stockton's proposal for all his housing lands and conveniences thereto belonging [at Bay Side], 70 acres or more at home and 2 ten-acre lots and 2 twenty-acre lots at a mile or two distance, with so much meadow as may yield 20 or 25 loads of hay a year, price ^300. 16 half-ankers of boiled cider for half of 2 oxen. I bought of Wm. Dearing a negro girl Betty for ,£23 in silver, £\2 in hand and £11 next month. 1691. — Account of linen in John Bowne's house: New diaper, 4 tablecloths, one doz. napkins, one doz. towels, fine sheets 6, and 2 cotton sheets, 4 coarse linen, 2 fine tow, 2 bolster cases, 9 fine pillow-biers, 4 coarse ones; small linen: 4. cravats, 5 handkerchiefs, 5 neck cloths, 8 caps, 7 bands; woolen, bedding, &c: 8 coverlets, 12 blankets, 3 feather beds, 5 bolsters. 4 large do., 4 pillows, other pillows, 9 in all; six good chaff beds, 2 sets of curtains; pewter: 9 platters, 4 new basons, 8 plates, 5 porringers, 4 salts, one flagon, 2 tankards, one pot, 2 chamber-pots, 2 doz. spoons, 2 saucers; 3 brass candle- sticks, 2 pair scales. 1693. — Dinner and wine for 7 men (in N. Y.), 10s. 6d.; one best pair yarn hose, 4s.; pair mittens, is. 3d. 1694. — The cooper is to make me 60 good barrels for cider, tight and sizeable, at 2od. each, the timber already got, he providing what is yet wanting, to be paid yi in cash and 2 /i in cider at 12s. 6d. a barrel now, and 10s. a barrel from the press, he finding casks. In 1695 a school bill is stated as follows: Wm. and Thos. Richardson, dr. to John Urquhart for 4 weeks diet, -£i 17s. 6d., and for writing and cyphering, 8 weeks at is. 3d. a week for both; teaching John to read, 10 weeks at 6d. at week; leather for his breeches, 9s. 8d. ; j4 yard osenbrigs, iod.; one ounce silk, 4s. 6d. So large a number of entries have been reproduced that the reader can gain a general idea of the prices of nearly all classes of mechanical, agricultural and professional labor that found a market in those primitive times. The French and Revolutionary Wars. The hostilities between the French and English at- tracted much attention, and Queens county was called on to furnish a regiment of militia, to which, of course, Flushing contributed her quota. During the administra- tion of Governor George Clinton this place was his res- idence, and that fact brought the most prominent of its citizens into a more close relationship with the surround- ings and associates of a high official of the British gov- ernment than they would otherwise have been, and may have had much to do in shaping their policy at a later date. The transfer of the scene of conflict to the Cana- dian frontier and the successful termination of the French war brought relief and joy to the people of this vicinity, whose location made them particularly exposed to danger had a French fleet entered the sound. A newspaper clipping reads as follows: "November 17th 1759. — A great celebration was held at Flushing over the reduction of Quebec, that long-dreaded sink of French perfidy and cruelty. An elegant and sumptuous entertainment was served, at which the principal inhabitants of the town were present. Toasts celebrating the paternal tenderness of our most gracious sovereign, the patriotism and integ- rity of Mr. Pitt, the fortitude and activity of the generals, &c, were drunk with all the honors. Every toast was accompanied by a discharge of cannon, which amounted 11 8 a HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. to over 100. In the evening a bonfire and splendid il- luminations." Lieutenant Governor Cadwallader Colden owned and occupied the place now known as the Brower property, called by him Spring Hill. He retired to it on the ap- pointment of Andros, and died there, September 20th 1776. His son David figures somewhat in the events of the Revolution, as a strong and active loyalist. The people of Flushing united with their fellow col- onists in resenting and protesting against the aggressions of the mother country, but when rebellion was decided upon by the colonies many felt that nothing could be gained and much lost by precipitate action. The open- ing act of the Revolutionary drama was the pursuit of one Zacharias Hood, a stamp officer, to the residence of Lieutenant Governor Colden , where he had taken refuge, by a party of Liberty Boys from New York, accompanied by their sympathizers in this vicinity. The badly fright- ened revenue officer was ordered out, placed in a car- riage, escorted to Jamaica, and made to take an oath of loyalty to the colonies, and then with three cheers the party disbanded. This was on December 5th 1765. The events of 1776 and 1777 were peculiarly trying to the in- habitants. Families were divided, some of the younger members joining Woodhull's Continentals, while the older members clung to the cause of King George. Marriages with families in England, the large property interests involved, the long stretch of unprotected sea- coast, and the non-combative principles of the Quaker population, are all to be considered in judging, at this day of the causes which led to' the toryism of a great por- tion of the people of Queens county, and should have their weight with the unprejudiced reader. The abortive campaign of 1776, resulting in the defeat of the colonial forces at Brooklyn, led to the occupancy of this portion of the territory by a part of General Howe's army, DeLancy's brigade being quartered in a district extending through Jamaica and Flushing, and so placed as to guard the roads and protect the island from invasion from Connecticut. A large body of Hessians was quartered in this town, many of them being billeted at the houses of the citizens, who were not entirely unacquainted with foreign soldiers, as some of them had boarded French prisoners of. war in 1656-58. The head- quarters of the quartermaster were at the Aspinwall homestead; other officers were quartered at the old Bowne house, a stone house south of the cemetery, and the Bowron place on Whitestone avenue. The old Quaker meeting-house was used at various times for a hospital, for a guard house, and for storing hay. Troops were encamped at Fresh Meadows, near the Duryea place, on the Bowne property near the Manhasset road, and in a barn on the Hoagland farm. Loyalists from the mainland flocked here in considerable numbers as refugees, and, in turn, any one suspected of strong sym- pathy with the cause of the colonists soon found it advisable to leave. During the early years of the war but little loss was s istained by the well-known predatory proclivities of the Hessians, and the inhabitants soon learned to make good such losses by reports to the proper quarters. The influence, however, of the forced association with the degraded mercenaries was deeply felt, and did much to weaken the sympathy with the royal cause; and there is but little doubt that the people of Flushing were heartily glad to speed the parting guest when the evacuation of New York withdrew the British army from their soil. In a pecuniary sense the British invasion was proba- bly a profitable one, as the officers paid promptly and liberally in gold for their requisitions, and the increased demand for farm products for the army here and at New York was a source of considerable revenue. There were, however, m;>ny individual instances of rapine; not all, however, chargeable to the enemy, as the Connecticut whaleboats made frequent incursions by night and, under the protection of letters of marque from the federal authorities, degenerated at last to mere pirates, robbing friend and foe alike. A few of the more interesting incidents of the five years' experience of Flushing with a foreign army have been gleaned from the records of those days, published works and the recollections of old settlers. On the 4th of April 1775 an annual town meeting elected John Talman a deputy to the convention which was to form a Provincial Congress. He was present at the convention and acquiesced in its action. On May 22nd of the same year a county meeting at Jamaica elected Thomas Hicks, of Little Neck, and Nathaniel Tom, a captain of militia, deputies to another colonial convention. Hicks, who was chosen to represent Hemp- stead, declined to serve, as he was " informed that the people wished to remain in peace and quiet." Captain Tom afterward joined the continentals. The county committee appointed as a sub-committee for Flushing John Talman, John Engles, Thomas Rodman, Thomas Thorne, Edmund Pinfold and Joseph Bowne. In No- vember 1775 a county election was held to decide the question of sending deputies to Congress, and Flushing decided against the measure, as did the county at large. Next followed the raid of Colonel Heard in January 1776, for the purpose of disarming loyalists and seizing the ringleaders. He visited this town and seized some arms. The Flushing committee were, although in the minor- ity, not entirely idle; for when Rev. C. Inglis, rector of Trinity Church in New York, found it necessary to retire to this place after Washington's entry, a meeting of the committee discussed the propriety of seizing him; and so alarmed his friends that they removed him to some more retired quarters, and kept him secluded for some time. Capt. Archibald Hamilton was summoned by Congress to show cause why he should be considered a friend of the American cause; he expressed his love of country, but said he could not unsheath his sword against his king, or against his brother and other near relations in the British armies. He was paroled, and, violating his parole, became an active tory officer. June 24th 1776 Cornelius Van Wyck of this town was FLUSHING OCCUPIED BY THE BRITISH. elected one of the representatives in the Provincial Con- gress, and Congress granted £200 to Flushing for the care of Whig refugees who had been driven from New- York and had become objects of the town charity. The first entry of British troops was about 2 o'clock on a fine day in the last of August 1776, when a body of light horse galloped into the village and inquired at Widow Bloodgood's for her sons. On being told they had already fled one of the troop seized a firebrand and threatened to burn the house, but was prevailed on to desist. Thomas Thorne, James Burling and one Van- derbilt were arrested and carried off to the prison ship, the first named dying there. Congressman Van Wyck was also seized and sent to the new jail. Most of the leading Whigs had already fled on hearing of the battle of Brooklyn. Many of them afterward returned and ac- cepted the protection of the British. Capt. Nathaniel Tom accepted the captaincy of a company of continentals raised at Kingston, and fought through the war, after- ward dying at Kingston at the age of 73 years. The 71st Highlanders were the first troops quartered at or near the village. Before the battle of White Plains one wing of the army passed through Flushing to Whitestone, and on the 12th of October crossed over to the mainland. It is said to have occupied half a day in passing a given point. The road from Hempstead and Jamaica was constantly traversed by bodies of troops carrying supplies from the landing at Whitestone, and it was in opening a lane to shorten the distance that the name Black Stump was given to the locality, the intersection of this improvised route with the highway being marked by the charred and blackened stump of a tree. The farmers were impressed as cartmen, but usually fairly paid for their services. After the occupancy of the town a system of signals was established by which alarms were transmitted from Nor- wich Hill to Beacon Hill, thence to Whitestone and so on to New York. An alarm pole was set up where the old Methodist church stood. It was wound with straw and terminated in a tar barrel. Some idea of the profitable market for farm produce can be gained from a general order of Howe, which fixed the price of fuel and food to prevent extortion, and also made offers for forage. Walnut wood was made ^5 per cord; all other wood £4. The wood of proprietors re- fusing to sell to boatmen at moderate prices was to be seized and confiscated. The price of wheat was fixed at 12 shillings per bushel of 58 lbs.; wheat flour, 35 shillings per cwt.; rye, 20s.; corn, 17s. Farmers were ordered to make a return to the commanding officer of the quantity they had and how much they required for their own .use. In a requisition for forage September 10th 1778, the prices, delivered at Flushing or Brooklyn, were stated as follows: Upland hay 8s., salt hay 4s., straw 3s. per cwt.; corn 10s., oats 7s. per bushel; carting or boating 2s. 6d. per ton. Forage of delinquents to be taken without pay. In the last month of 1778 Archibald Hamilton was ap- pointed commandant of the militia of Queens county, and aide-de-camp to Governor Tryon, despite his parole of two years previous. It was to this perjured official that many of the indignities suffered by the people were due. The officers of the regular army had been careful to avoid offense, and had punished depredations severely. Under Hamilton there were a body of Maryland loyal- ists and what was known as the Royal American regi- ment quartered in this vicinity, and their depredations were in many instances unnoticed if not even sanctioned by him. He was a passionate, ill-bred tyrant, and within a short time after his appointment a number of respecta- ble citizens entered complaints to Governor Tryon against him. Among the complainants were the following: Thomas Kelley, who alleged that Hamilton entered a house where he was, and, because he did not remove his hat, beat him over the head and repeated the offense soon after; John Willet, who remonstrated with him for sending a negro to steal his fence rails, and was chased into his yard by the gallant officer, who endeavored to run him through with his sword, and called God to wit- ness that he would cut in pieces any one who opposed him; James Morrel, who was wounded by him; Walter Dalton, who, having been arrested for no offense, was knocked down twice with a heavy club, and after being put under guard was followed to the road by the colonel and struck " with about thirty blows, which disabled him from labor for some weeks "; and eight others who made affidavits to similar outrages. The governor ordered David Colden to investigate the matter, but no punish- ment was inflicted, and Hamilton had the impudence, at the close of the war, to petition for the privilege of citizen- ship. It was refused, however, and he set sail for England in 1783. Benedict Arnold's legion lay for a time near Black Stump. The Hessians were from the Jager corps — a higher order — and were quartered on the north side for three winters. Sir Robert Pigot's 38th regiment was quartered at Fresh Meadows. Mandeville relates that civilians when passing the offi- cers' quarters were required to dismount and proceed on foot until a certain distance had been passed. Samuel Skidmore, near Black Stump, was shot through a window. No traces of the perpetrator were found. Some of Fanning's tories entered the house of Willet Bowne at night, and, tying him to his bed-post, tortured him by holding a candle to the tips of his fingers, to in- duce him to disclose where his money was hidden. He however, remained firm, and, fearful of discovery, they were compelled to leave without having attained their object. The old Quaker recognized his assailants, but out of mercy for them never revealed their names. James Bowne was awakened one night by a disturbance at his barnyard, and on raising his window received a musket ball in his arm. Recruits to a tory regiment, " the Prince of Wales's, Loyal American Volunteers, quartered at the famous and beautiful town of Flushing," were given ^5 bounty and promised 100 acres of land on the Mississippi, and were thus drawn in squads of twenty or more from the New- England colonies — many of them jailbirds and des- perate characters. HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. In 1780 Yankee whaleboats from New Rochelle visited Bay Side, and plundered several houses, among the rest that of John Thurman, a New York merchant. In 1781 Thomas Hicks, of Little Neck, was robbed of his law books and a large amount of personal property ; and later in the summer eight of these boats made a land- ing at Bay Side, but, finding the tory militia on the look- out, the crews re-embarked without a contest. On the 20th of April 1782 a party of soldiers with their faces blackened attacked James Hedger, shot him dead in his bedroom, and robbed him of £200 in coin and a large amount of clothing and silver plate. Col. Hamilton offered ,£150 reward for the detection of the criminals, and ^100 and free pardon to any accomplice who would give the necessary evidence. It was this offer probably that induced a soldier named Perrot to confess that the crime was committed by himself and five other members of the 38th and 54th regiments. The other guilty men, suspecting Perrot, attempted to escape, but three of them were arrested at Lloyd's Neck and brought back to Flushing village, where their regiments had been stationed. They were then taken to Bedford — the quarters of their regiments at that time — tried, and two of them hanged on a chestnut tree in the presence of the entire brigade, the notorious Cunningham and his mulatto acting as executioners. Hedger was the pro- prietor of the grist-mill located on the J. P. Carll prop- erty, about four miles east of Flushing village, and lived with his sister, a Mrs. Palman, in a house near the mill. He had once before been awakened by a noise, and found two men choking his sister. In a hard fight he beat them off, killing one and marking the other in the face with shot. The wounded man was arrested at Southold, found to be a British soldier, and punished by the infliction of 999 lashes; and the body of his com- panion was hanged in a iron frame on a gibbet on the Hempstead Plains. The people of the town, despite the murder of Hed- ger, seem to have been pleased with the conduct of the regiments named above, as on their departure an address was presented to Lieutenant Colonel A. Bruce, of the 54th regiment, who was in command, thanking him for his vigilant attention, the honor and politeness of his officers, and the orderly behavior of the men. This paper was signed by forty-seven of the prominent citizens. The house of Benjamin Areson, at Fresh Meadows, was robbed by some of Simcoe's tories, who beat Areson severely and kept Benjamin Nostrand and his father under guard until the house was rifled. Three of them were afterward identified, but Simcoe declined to punish them. Mr. Areson had a new house unfinished when the Jagers encamped at Frame's farm. They tore it down to use in building their barracks. Fences were destroyed without mercy, and when the army left there were but few fence rails to be found for miles around their encampments, and the loss inflicted by the reckless waste in felling tracts of timber was a serious one; as, although some compensation was received, it was by no means adequate. The 7th of August 1782 witnessed the only visit evtr made to Flushing by a royal personage. On that day Prince William Henry, afterward King William IV., in company with Admiral Digby, presented a stand of colors to the king's American dragoons, under Colonel Thomp- son, at their camp on the James Lawrence place, not far from Bay Side. The young prince was at that time a vol- unteer on board the Admiral's flagship " Prince George." The old guard-house at Flushing was torn down by the soldiers and burned for fuel. Perhaps the most satis- factory fire that occured was the burning of Colonel Hamilton's residence, on the place now owned by the Mitchells on Whitestone avenue, on Christmas eve, 1780. Everything it contained was destroyed — "elegant furni- ture, stock of provisions, various sorts of wine, spirits in- tended for the regalement of his numerous friends, the military, and other gentlemen of the neighborhood, at this convivial season". It might have been saved had not his folly in storing a cask of cartridges and a lot of loose gunpowder in the garret been known, and prevent- ed any exertions to save it. It is believed that someone who had been wronged by his brutality took this method of avenging himself. If so it was quite effectual, as Hamilton suffered severely by the loss, and when he was compelled to emigrate his farm was found to be heavily mortgaged. In 1780 the Hon. Mrs. Napier, wife of Captain Napier, who was absent with the fleet on the Charleston expe- dition, died at the residence of Jeremiah Vanderbilt, aged only twenty-three years, leaving two infant daugh- ters. Her remains were deposited in a vault on Gover- nor Colden's place, attended by the officers of three reg- iments. She was said to have been an estimable lady, and loved by all who knew her. This is the only record attainable of any of the families of British officers at this place, although it is understood that many of the officers were accompanied by their wives and children; while a certain number of the privates and non-commissioned officers were allowed to be accompanied by their wives, who acted as laundresses and in other capacities about the officers' quarters. The fort at Whitestone was an important strategic point. It was located east of the creek, on a bank at Bogart's Point, and the redoubt, which Mandeville attributes to Washington's troops, was probably a part of the defenses. There is no evidence that any fortifica- tion of this locality was attempted by the American commander. The exit of the troops was as sudden as their entrance. A writer says: " In the morning the place was crowded, and barns all full; now all are gone, and it seems quite lonesome." ' There followed the usual day of reckoning. Every insolent act, harsh word or instance of treachery had been treasured by the Whigs, and no sooner had the courts opened, in 1784, than they were thronged with suitors seeking damages against the tory residents. David Colden, to whose influence more than that of any other was due the ill-timed loyalty of the town, peti- RAVAGES OF THE HESSIAN FLY— DESTRUCTION OF TOWN RECORDS. 85 tioned for the rights of citizenship, but in vain; his beautiful estate was confiscated, and he joined the tory hegira to Nova Scotia. A large number of farms and residences changed hands, and a new class of settlers took the place of those who, although they had enriched themselves in many instances, had done so at the expense of their country. One of the most serious blows which befell the farmers here and elsewhere at the time of the Revolution, and thought to be traceable to it, was the almost total destruction of the wheat crop by the ravages of the Hessian fly, which is believed to have been brought to the island in grain imported for the British troops from Germany. Flushing had become famous for its wheat, and the loss was keenly felt here. That it was serious can readily be seen from the fact that, while in 1777 wheat flour was rated at 35s. per cwt., the price list made out by the commanding general in December 1779, which contained the prices at which farmers must sell their surplus produce, rates it at 80s. per cwt., and offers 26s. per bushel for wheat. When the pest was at its worst one of the Burlings, who at that time owned a grist-mill and farm, saw some southern wheat on board a coasting vessel at New York, and, actuated by a desire to experiment with it, purchased a few bushels, and sowed it. Of the success of his experiments the New York Packet of July 20th 1786 says: " The insect that has destroyed the wheat many years past continues to spread, but it has no effect on the white-bearded wheat raised on Long Island. This wheat was brought here from the southward during the war, and a few bushels sown by a Flushing farmer grew well, and afforded a fine crop. He kept on, and has supplied his neighbors. It grows twenty bushels to the acre, and weighs over sixty pounds. It is of a bright yellow color, and makes fine flour. The straw is harder, and resists the poison of the fly, and supports the grain, while bearded and bald wheat were cut off." Thus it will be noticed a Flushing farmer makes dis- coveries that save the wheat culture of the entire coun- try. Apropos of this, the writer, when a child, heard his grandfather relate how, after the close of the war, he was sent by his neighbors, central New York farmers, from the Genesee valley to Long Island, to test the truth of the story that had reached them, that the farmers on the island had found a wheat that would ripen in spite of the " fly;" and that on his return he took with him a quantity, which he believed to be the first amber winter wheat ever sowed in central or western New York. The most important event of the closing years of the last century was the destruction of the town records by the burning of the residence of the clerk, Jeremiah Van- derbilt. It was set on fire by Nellie, a slave girl belong- ing to Capt. Daniel Braine, who had been hired to work in the family, and who, conceiving a dislike for her new mistress, took this way to revenge the fancied injury. She was arrested in company with Sarah, one of Vander- bilt's slaves, and on their own confession they were sen- tenced to be hanged. Sarah was afterward reprieved on condition that she be removed from the island. Nellie was hanged at Jamaica, after having been in jail fifty weeks. Aaron Burr, then attorney-general for the State, conducted the prosecution. The celebration of the adoption of the Constitution, held August 13th 1788, was another interesting incident, participated in by many prominent men from New York, and lasting an entire day and evening. In 1790 General Washington dined here, and was enthusiastically re- ceived, and in 1792 the people co-operated with the citi- zens of Jamaica in raising funds to found an academy at the latter place. No untoward event marred the peace and prosperity of the people, and the tide of improvement had set in that was destined to make of the little hamlet an im- portant village, and to found thriving villages where but an isolated farm house then stood. The population had grown to an aggregate of 1,818, and commercial ventures with foreign parts, as well as a coastwise trade with Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore, had been carried on to some extent. Old Families and Prominent Citizens. The VanZandts. — Walter Barrett's " Old Merchants of New York " contains so complete a history of the several generations of this substantial Knickerbocker family that any mention of the progenitors of the last Wynant Van Zandt would be superfluous here. Intermarried with some of the best of the old Huguenot families in the last century, the survivors of the Van Zandts possess the sterling qualities of both the Hollandish and Huguenot stocks. The first of the name to reside in this town was Wynant Van Zandt, born in New York, August 1 ith 1767, and for many years a member of the mercantile house of Law- rence & Van Zandt. He served as an alderman of the first ward from 1802 to 1806, and, as one of the building committee who erected the City Hall, protested against the use of colored stone in the rear of that building, urging upon his colleagues the belief that in a few years the city would extend far beyond the hall, and that therf their parsimony would be ridiculed. His "wild ideas," as they were called, were laughed at by the other alder- men, and the brown stone was used. When it was pro- posed to make the width of Canal street sixty feet he pleaded for one hundred feet, and it is due to his efforts that this important thoroughfare is wide enough to ren- der traffic on it possible. He married Maria Allaire Underbill, of Westchester county, by whom he had eleven sons, several of whom are still living. Although he had been for many years an attendant at the old Dutch church, under which lie buried nearly all the Van Zandts for generations, later in life he became attached to Bishop Hobart, purchased a pew in Trinity church, and had a vault built near the McDonough monument, in which were buried his father, the old alderman, who died in 1814, his business partner William Lawrence, and several others. He became a vestryman in Trinity, serving from 1806 to 181 1. About the year 18 13 he purchased the Weeks farm at B6 Little Neck, and, erecting on it a handsome mansion, re- moved there with his family, and in this beautiful home passed the remainder of an active and useful life. His residence here was marked by acts of liberality and pub- lic spirit; and his death, which occurred November 31st 1 83 1, when he was sixty-three years old, deprived the town of Flushing of one of its most valued citizens. He is buried in a vault under Zion's church, where also lie his wife and several of his children; and, although no memorial stone was erected for him, the church itself is a sufficient and enduring monument. One of his sons, Henry, resided on a part of the old homestead until his death, since which time his widow has continued to make it her home. The only other representatives of the family here are Wynant Van Zandt's widow and his youngest daughter, who married the late Peter Munford, a New York merchant, and who occupies a pleasant place in Flushing, and with whom her mother makes her home. Francis Lewis, the only one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence who was identified by residence with the people of Queens county, was a native of Landaff in South Wales, and was educated at Westminster. Born in 17 13, he decided on entering mercantile life when of age, and in 1735 converted his patrimony into money and sailed for New York, and from thence went to Philadelphia, where he engaged in business. Two years later he returned to New York, and he became one of the great ship-owners of his time, whose successful ventures were the real groundwork of Great Britain's jealousy of her colonies. Led by his business interests to travel, he visited Russia and other parts of Europe, and was twice shipwrecked off the coast of Ireland. As a supply agent for the British army he was taken prisoner at Fort Oswego when it was surprised by Montcalm, was carried to Montreal, and from there to France. After his liberation he returned to New York to find the conflict between the colonies and the mother country already practically commenced; and, joining heartily in Revolutionary movements, he was in 1775 unanimously elected a delegate to the Con- tinental Congress, where his business experience, execu- tive talent and knowledge of commerce made him a valuable member. At the next session he with his fellow patriots signed the paper to the maintenance of which they pledged " their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor." Having some time previous pur- chased a country seat at Whitestone he removed his family to it in 1776, and then entered actively upon the performance of duties of importance with which he had been entrusted by Congress, one branch of which was the importation of military stores, in which he expended the bulk of his large fortune, and for which he was never repaid. Hardly had his family been settled at their home in Whitestone before they were visited, in the fall of 1776, by a body of British light horse, who plundered his house, wantonly destroyed his extensive and valuable library, and, taking Mrs. Lewis a prisoner, retained her several months, without a change of clothes or a bed to rest on. Through the influence of Washington she was released, but with her health so broken by the abuses she had suffered that she drooped and died — another victim to English chivalry in the eighteenth century. Mr. Lewis resided here until 1796, when he disposed of his property and retired to New York, where he died December 30th 1803, in his 90th year. Cadwallader D. Colden, the only son of David Colden, was born at the family mansion, " Spring Hill," in Flush- ing, April 4th 1769, and attended school at Jamaica. Only 15 years of age when his father's estate was forfeited for treason, he was too young to have taken any very de- cided stand on the political opinions of that day, but not too young to feel an ardent love for his native country. Although he accompanied his father to England in 1784, where he attended a classical school near London, he found means in 1785 to return to New York, and entered the office of Richard Harrison, a prominent lawyer. He was admitted to the bar in 1791, practiced at Poughkeep- sie five years, and then returned to New York, where he was soon after made district attorney. Young as he was he soon became a prominent rival of such men as Har- rison, Hamilton, Livingston and Jones, and for many years he was at the head of his profession in the specialty of commercial law. In 181 2 he commanded a regiment of volunteers, and was active in assisting in building the forts and harbor d.-fenses about the city. He served a term in Congress, and was afterward in the State Senate, where he became one of the most efficient promoters of the Erie Canal and a warm and faithful friend of De Witt Clinton. Mr. Colden died in 1834, at Jersey City. He was a descendant of the Willett family of Flushing, and one of whose birth within their borders the people of the town have a right to feel proud. Dr. John Rodman was one of the pioneer physicians and for more than forty years his broad brimmed hat and Quaker costume were familiar to the people of this and adjoining towns. His charges were moderate, but by combining agriculture with the practice of his profession he was enabled to leave his family comfortably endowed. At his death, in 1731, the Society of Friends entered on their records a euology of his consistent deportment and fidelity. The Lowerree Family are supposed to belong to the old Huguenot colony, who settled here about 1660. The name occurs infrequently in any of the early records, and family traditions are indistinct. It can, however, be traced by continuous residence for more than one hun- dred and fifty years. During the present century one of the family was a prominent merchant. Lowerree was the first president of the Flushing Gas Company, and Frank G. is proprietor of the Broadway stables. There are many persons of that name in the town. The Embrce name is also identified with the Huguenot settlements, the first of the name coming first to New Rochelle, and then to Flushing. Never very numerous, the representation of the family has been worthy of its sires. In past generations they intermarried with the Lawrences and Bownes, and became Quakers in faith OLD FAMILIES AND PROMINENT CITIZENS. 89 and practice. The only representative of the name now known to the writer as a resident of Flushing is Robert C. Embree, a gifted New York lawyer. Colonel Isaac Corsa was a gallant soldier of the French and Indian wars. He served as lieutenant-colonel of the Queens county troops, and by his shrewdness in advising and gallantry in building and manning a battery at a particular point was chiefly instrumental in securing the surrender of Fort Frontenac. Retiring to his farm in Flushing he resigned his commission. In 1776, having been accused of loyalty to the cause of King George, he was arrested by a committee of Congress, and paroled. He remained at home a quiet spectator during the war, and died in 1807, at the age of 80 years. His only daughter married John Staples, of New York city. The Valentines were early settlers in Queens county, none, however, appearing in Flushing until after the time of the Revolution. Jeremiah settled on the Black Stump road, near Jamaica village, in 1800, and twelve years later removed to the farm in this town now owned by his son Thomas. He was a native of Suffolk county, mar- ried Sarah Brooks, of Flushing, and had seven children, but two of whom are now living — one a daughter, who mar- ried John M. Stearns, of Brooklyn, the other Thomas, who married Cornelia Cornell, of Flushing. Jeremiah Valentine was for many years a magistrate and justice of sessions in the county, superintended the building of Christ's Church, Brooklyn, and was a director of the Wil- liamsburg Savings Bank. Captain John Valentine was born on Long Island about 1740, and was a soldier in the Revolution. He was at one time a prisoner in a house that stood where the Main street depot now stands in Flushing. He was the father of the mother of Edwin Powell. The last named, the oldest resident of White- stone, was born on his farm in 1809, where his father, William Powell, was born in 1783. John Powell jr., father of William, was born on Long Island in 1740. John Powell, father of John Powell jr., born in 1705, was also born on Long Island. John Powell jr. in 1780 moved o.j to the farm now owned by Edwin Powell. The Havilands, Benjamin, Joseph and William, settled here prior to 1680, the names of the last two appearing on the list of patentees of 1685. But little is known of the families, except that in some instances they became prominent in wealth and mercantile enterprise. The best known member of the family in this town during the present century was William, who for about fifty years was a farmer at Little Neck, and died there about 1840, leaving six children. Mrs. Maria Smith is the only rep- resentative of the eldest, whose name was Roe. The Walters brothers, Henry, Samuel and John, were settlers in the east end of the town, in the Little Neck district, prior to the Revolution, and Henry served in Young's militia, under Hamilton. John had a son Ben- jamin, born February 22nd 1755, who married Elizabeth Valentine. They had eleven children. One of their sons, Charles, was born in 1801, and married in 1832 to Elizabeth Roe. They had a son and daughter, Charles W. ajid Mary (now Mrs. Hendrickson), who are the only representatives of that branch of the family now here. Samuel Walters, a brother of Benjamin, enlisted from Flushing in the war of 1812, served at Fort Greene, and was honorably discharged and pensioned. The Farringtons, once prominent in Flushing, des* cended from Edward Ffarrington, a brother-in-law of John Bowne. Mandeville relates that in his will, dated April 14th 1673, he bequeaths, after the decease of his wife Dorothy, to his " eldest son John all his housing, land, orchard, gardens in the town of Fflushing, etc , to returne to ye next heire male of the blood of ye Farring- tons and soe from generation to generation forever.' It seems that even Quaker humility did not wipe out the pride of race, and prejudice in favor of primogeniture, and it is a somewhat singular proof of ihe greater effi- ciency of American habits and customs that the writer fails to find a single person in Flushing of that name even remotely interested in the old estate that was to be so carefully kept in the family. The T homes trace their ancestry on the island back to William Thome jr., who was the original owner of an estate at what is now Willett's Point, which for many years was called by his name. His family, large and respectable, were prominent citizens of Flushing many years; some of them, settling in adjoining towns, became active patriots during the Revolution, and Thomas Thorne, who was one of the Whig committee of Flushing, was seized by the British on their first visit here and ended his days in the prison ship. The Hicks Family descend from Robert Hicks (a des- cendant of Sir Ellis Hix, who was knighted by the Black Prince at the battle of Poictiers, in 1356), who came to America in the ship "Fortune," landing November nth 1621 at Plymouth. He settled in Roxbury, Mass., and in 1642 two of his sons, John and Stephen, came to Long Island, the former being one of the original patentees of Flushing, and active in public affairs. His son Thomas drove out the Indians from Little Neck, and settled there. The family were early identified with the fortunes of the Society of Friends, to which many of them still adhere. Elias Hicks, the famous preacher and founder of the Hicksite branch of that body, is a prominent instance. In 1880 Miss Anna L. Hicks and Mrs. A. W. Cock, of Flushing, were among the most prominent rep- resentatives of the family in the town. The Cornell Family. — This name is variously written. We meet it in early records as Cornhill, Cornwell and Cornell, according to the ignorance or indolence of the scribe. Onderdonk classes the family under the name of Cornwell, and is probably correct. The progenitors in this country seem to have been three brothers, who joined one of the early Massachusetts expeditions, and afterward scattered; one settling in Connecticut, another in Dutchess county, N. Y., and the third, Richard, coming to Flush- ing about 1643 and being one of the patentees here, and for many years a magistrate. His descendants be- came numerous, scattered throughout the country, and seem to have evinced a taste for public life both military and civil. The old pioneer was a consistent Quaker, and so were many of his descendants. 90 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. William Hallet, one of the -first sheriffs of Flushing, had a singularly checkered career. In 1655 he was a planter near Hell Gate, and was driven from home and his house and plantation laid waste by the Indians. He fled to Flushing, and was appointed sheriff; but lost his position the following year, and was fined ^50 for allowing a Baptist preacher to hold meetings in his house. The people petitioned for and obtained a remission of the fine. He seems to have been a builder, as the records show that he was the contractor on the first " session house" or court-house built in Jamaica. The family af- terward became prominent in Newtown. S. J. Hallet was the only known representative of the family in Flushing when this sketch was written. Michael Millner was the pioneer inn-keeper of this town, and it was at his house town gatherings were held. Hare the people met to protest against Stuyvesant's proscription of the Quakers, and for allowing what it would seem he could not well prevent, were he so dis- posed, Millner was punished. The Bloodgoods are of purely Knickerbocker origin, Francis Bloctgoct being the earliest settler of the name in Flushing, and, being recognized by the Dutch authori- ties as " chief of the inhabitants of the Dutch nation re- siding in the villages of Vlissingen, Heemstede, Ruds- dorp and Middleborp," was made their commander and ordered to march with them toward the city should a hos- tile fleet appear in the sound. This was in 1674. In the year previous he was made a magistrate, was one of the privy council who advised with the governor on the sur- render of the territory to the English, and was appointed a commissioner to visit the Sweedish settlement on the Delaware. Of his immediate descendants but little can be learned, although it is reasonably certain that some one of the name has ever since resided in Flushing. Two of his grandchildren, Abram and James, were left orphans under the care of a relative; but preferring to make their way in the world for themselves emigrated to Albany, where they became successful business men and amassed handsome fortunes. Abraham was born in Flushing, in 1 741. He became also a merchant in Albany, and mar- ried Mrs. Lynott, one of whose daughters by a former husband became the wife of the celebrated Simeon De Witt. Abraham Bloodgood was for years a councilman of the city, was a member of the convention that ac- cepted the constitution of the United States, and one of the famous ten who, in the old Vanden Heyden house, founded the Democratic party of the State. He left four sons, the younger of whom, Joseph, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1806, and was appointed trustee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York in 1811. Invited by a large number of the most prominent citizens of Flushing to settle here, he came to this village in 181 2, and was for many years an em- inent physician and a public spirited citizen. He died March 7th 185 1, aged sixty-seven years. He had twelve children, four daughters and eight sons. Isaac, a prom- inent merchant, is now living in Flushing. Mrs. G. R. Garretson is a descendant of the branch of the family claiming continuous residence here, and resides on the old home farm, now in the heart of the village, in a house dating back to the early part of the last century. The Lawrence Family trace their patronymic back to the ancient Romans, claiming that from some of the Laurentii of that noble race descended their English an- cestry; of whom the first named in the Doomsday Book was Sir Robert Lawrence, of Ashton Hall, who in 11 19 planted the banner of the Cross on the battlements of St. Jean d'Acre, and received for his gallantry the honors of knighthood and a coat of arms from Richard the Lion- hearted, the latter of which was in use (as a seal) by the family in America for many years. Three brothers of this family, William, John and Thomas, came to Long Island about the year 1643, and the first two were among the patentees of Flushing recognized by Governor Kieft in 1645. John, although an owner of land here, removed to New York, where he became an alderman, mayor, judge of the supreme court and member of his Majesty's council. William became the largest landed proprietor in Flushing, settling at Tew's Neck (afterward called Lawrence's), now College Point. He was a magistrate under the Dutch government in 1655, held a military commission under the British, and was in the magistracy of the " north riding." He was a man of marked abil- ity, active in public affairs, and a fair type of the old fashioned country gentleman. His second wife was Elizabeth Smith, of Mishaquaked, L. I., whom he mar- ried in 1664. He died in 1680, and his widow married Sir Philip Carteret, governor of New Jersey. She was a woman of more than ordinary endowments; she was acting governor during Sir Philip's absence in Europe, and many of the important acts of that period were " passed under the administration of Lady Elizabeth Carteret." Elizabeth, New Jersey, is named after her. From this and a previous marriage of William Lawrence's descended the Flushing family of that name. Bernard Sprong was an early resident of Jamaica, where he was born in 1727, and where he died in 1779, leaving three children, the oldest of whom, his namesake, entered the employ of John Jacob Astor. The second son, Daniel, married Ida Van Law and settled in Flush- ing, where he became a farmer. Of his five children David was run over and killed while a student of Union Hall; two daughters died without issue, and John mar- ried Elizabeth Robinson, by whom he had seven chil- dren, of whom Mrs. Ida A. Foster was the oldest, and is now the only one on the island. The Colored Population. The early growth of material wealth in this part of the island was marked by the accession of considerable prop- erty in slaves, and historians agree in the conclusion that the pioneers of Queens and Suffolk made kind and in- dulgent masters, and that, in fact, the kindheartedness of the Hollanders and Quakers was rather a bar to the main- tenance of a state of discipline sufficient to make slavery a pecuniary success. Instances of cruelty there were; but they are rare, while the fact remains that any elements THE COLORED PEOPLE OF FLUSHING. 9i of discord to which we may allude were sown among the faithful slaves by a class of idle, dissolute freedmen from other localities, who were drawn here by the supposition that the well known sympathy of the Friends for their race would show them the means of securing the blessings of liberty without its cares and responsibilities. The emancipation of the slaves left them, in the main, res- idents of their old homes, and where they were worthy of the confidence of their former owners the relation of master and servant was practically unchanged. The Friends, under the teachings of Fox, were led by their fine sense of justice and humanity to be the pioneers in the matter of schools for the negroes, and funds were early contributed for their education, and the lady mem- bers of the society were active in the work. Churches of the denominations whose devotional exercises best com- ported with the emotional nature of the race were estab- lished early in the century, and Flushing at that time of- fered special inducements for the retention of a class of people fond of gaiety, and not ambitious to become either wealthy or famous. Old residents relate that from 1820 to 1825 this element of the population had grown so nu- merous and become so aggressive that the streets were filled with them at night, and a system of out-door dances, equivocal serenades and barbecues became so frequent that they proved a serious annoyance to the staid citizens who believed that "nights were made to sleep in." Town ordinances and the mild expostulations of their Quaker friends proved alike unavailing; but ingenuity will over- come all obstacles, and the spirit that was to restore peace to the streets of this ancient village was moving, not in the placid bosoms of the russet-clad Quaker, but in the restless brain of Young America. Parties of young men gathered on the outskirts of these noisy conclaves, and nightly disturbed their harmony with volleys of stale eggs and other disagreeable missiles, gaining the name of the " Rotten Egg Club." The remedy was effectual; peace reigned in Flushing, and the dusky orgies were transferred from the public squares to the shanties of Crow Hill and Liberty street. From that time to the present the colored population has in the main proved quiet and orderly, and supplied a place in domestic service. A few have become clergy- men, lawyers and small dealers, while a considerable number have found employment in minor positions in the New York custom-house and post-office. They have two churches, Methodist Episcopal and Baptist; and, although poor in this world's goods, evince that keen interest in devotional exercises that is to so great an extent a race characteristic. Education not being a prerequisite for the performance of pastoral duties, their preachers are often found following the Pauline practice of working with their own hands in humble avocations. The institution of slavery antedated the earliest settle- ments on the island, and not only were African servants brought from Holland, but families who came from New England imported Indians, who were either prisoners of war or the children of those who had been. The earliest mention of slaves found in any of the old historical works is, however, in the Colonial History of New York, Vol. II., page 158, where it is written that this part of the island " produces from the servants' labor corn, beef, pork, butter, tobacco and staves, which they exchange for liquors and merchandise." On the court records of 1726 is an account of the ex- ecution of " Samuel, a colored man of Flushing, for burglary committed in that place." Although nothing in the general conduct of the slaves in this locality had indicated any feeling of insubordina- tion, yet the year 1741 was a period of anxious uncer- tainty and general suspicion. The " negro plot " in New York had been discovered and many slaves executed ; and in Kings and Queens counties a number of arrests were made, but no sufficient cause was found to imperil the colored people or their masters in Flushing. On the 20th of May 1756 two slaves belonging to Ber- nardus Ryder and Benjamin Fowler were drowned in Flushing Bay while fishing. An advertisement in the New York Postboy of April 14th 1760 reads as follows: " Ran away from Bernardus Ryder, Flushing, a negro man named Caesar, aged twenty-five; this country born, not a right black — has a little of the yellowish cast; a pretty lusty fellow; talks good English; if frightened stutters very much; has lost one of his front teeth; had on a light-colored Devon- shire kersey coat, a soldier's red jacket, breeches and hat, and a pair of old shoes. 40s. reward if taken on the island, or ^3 if taken off the island." In 1788 a New York paper contained the following non-committal item: " Michael, a negro man slave of John Allen, of Flushing, died by chance-medley and misadventure from a correction he appeared to have from some person unknown." Onderdonk appends this note: " Allen had lost money, and severely flogged the negro, but could not extort a confession." This is the only instance of brutality recorded in the annals of Flushing. During the last years of the eighteenth century the stand taken by the Quakers against slavery, and the visits of free negroes, many of whom were at that time employed on American vessels, had stirred up a desire for freedom which led to many attempted and some suc- cessful escapes. On May 10th 1791 the Daily Advertiser contained the following: "$20 Reward. Ran away from Flushing two negro men! One Aaron, the prop- erty of Jeremiah Vanderbilt, who had on fustian trowsers and wool hat, and is a good boatman; the other, Poly- dore, the property of Francis Lewis, who wore a blue cloth jacket and breeches, woolen stockings and wool hat." They stole a boat and went up the sound, as was supposed. Although they were well treated, and perhaps better off in that respect than their fellow serfs in other States, the desire for personal liberty had become to some extent general among the slaves, if we may judge from advertisements which were published from time to time. How far this feeling rendered them insubordinate we find little besides the instance just stated to prove, but it must have had a powerful influence in securing the 12 92 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. acquiescence of the masters in the steps taken by the State toward emancipation. Freed from slavery they have generally remained in the locality, and their de- scendants become orderly members of the working classes, with an occasional instance where genius has risen superior to caste and the: unfortunate tyranny of circumstances, and become, to some extent, prominent. There are still living in the place some who were held in bondage when young. Rise and Growth of the Nursery Business. The Prince Nurseries. — The climate and the soil of this town being peculiarly adapted to the propagation of trees and plants, the success attained by the Huguenot settlers in introducing the fruits of their native province led English gardeners, who had settled here, to experi- ment in horticulture, with such results that William Prince in 1737 laid out a tract of land in the village and devoted it first to the propagation of fruit trees, after- ward extending his efforts to the growth and introduc- tion of shade trees, of which the Lombardy poplar is believed to have been one. The lack of forest trees on the island made his venture a popular one, and we find him circulating the following notice, dated Septem- ber 21st 1767: "For sale at William Prince's nursery, Flushing, a great variety of fruit trees, such as apple, plum, peach, nectarine, cherry, apricot and pear. They may be put up so as to be sent to Europe. Captain Jacamiah Mitchell and Daniel Clements go to New York in passage boats Tuesdays and Fridays." This is be- lieved to have been the first nursery in the country. At the time of writing this a part of the old grounds was still open to the school children, who have termed the field " the wild nursery," and who roam there during the summer, gathering stray blossoms from plants once rare and choice, or weaving garlands from the parti- colored foliage. The extension of Prince's business to the culture of shade and ornamental trees is first noticed in an advertisement in the New York Mercury of March 14th 1774: " William Prince at his nursery, Flushing landing, offers for sale one hundred and ten large Caro- lina magnolia flower trees, raised from the seed — the most beautiful trees that grow in America — 4s. per tree, four feet high; fifty large catalpa flower trees, 2s. per tree; they are nine feet high to the under part of the top, and thick as one's leg; thirty or forty almond trees, that begin to bear, is. and 6d. each; fifty fig trees, 2s. each; two thousand five hundred white, red and black currant bushes, 6d. each; gooseberry bushes, 6d.; Lisbon and Madeira grape vines; five thousand Hautboy Chili large English and American strawberry plants; one thousand five hundred white and one thousand black mulberry trees; also Barcelona filbert trees, is. The Revolution- ary war put a stop to the conduct of any business requir- ing free communications, and we find Mr. Prince adver- tising for sale 30,000 grafted cherry trees for hooppoles. A return of peace brought with it increased trade to make good the depredations of the soldiery, as well as to stock the orchards of those who for seven years past had paid more attention to the science of war than the pur- suits of horticulture, and in 1789 the nurseries had ob- tained a reputation that induced General Washington, then President of the United States, to visit them. In his diary for October 10th of that year is the following: 1 I set off from New York, about nine o'clock, in my barge, to visit Mr. Prince's fruit gardens and shrubberies at Flushing. The vice-president, governor, Mr. Izard, Colonel Smith and Major Jackson accompanied me. These gardens, except in the number of young fruit trees, did not answer my expectations. The shrubs were trifling and the flowers not numerous." It should be remem- bered that General Washington's estimate was that of a man familiar with the more luxurious vegetation of Vir- ginia. The first notice of the Lombardy poplar occurs m 1798, when Mr. Prince advertises 10000 of them, from ten to seventeen feet in height. They grew rapidly and became for years a popular shade tree, long avenues of them being planted in all parts of the island, and their leaves gathered for fodder for sheep and cattle by many. In 1806 they, however, received their death blow, as it was then claimed that they harbored a poison- ous worm, and they were cut down in many cases and burned for fuel. Thompson, in his History of Long Island, relates that when the British troops entered Flushing in 1777 General Howe ordered a guard to be stationed for the protection of these gardens and nursery. Originally confined to an area of eight acres the Linnaean Botanic Gardens, as they have, been termed, were en- larged by Mr. Prince in 1792, to cover the space of twenty-four acres; and under the management of his son during the early part of the century to more than sixty acres, employing a force of about fifty men in their best days. Thus from a small beginning has grown up what has been for the past half century the most important in- dustry of Flushing, employing a considerable force of intelligent men, and, what is perhaps of still more im- portance, deserving the credit of having educated a large number of the best landscape gardeners and horticultur- ists in the State. The great value of the lands used for nursery purposes here, and the springing up of the forest tree business in western New York, has led the nursery- men of Flushing to abandon that branch of the business for the more lucrative one of ornamental shrubbery, plants and cut flowers. No better view of the business as it now exists can be given than by sketching the his- tory of such nurseries and greenhouses as are now in operation. The Parsons Nurseries. — Among the marked men of Flushing in the generation now passed away was Samuel Parsons, of whom De Witt Clinton once remarked that he had never met another man so truly courteous with- out compromising a single Christian principle. The men- tal training given by his classical education was supple- mented by a knowledge of French, his fluency in which was gained by constant association with the French emi- grees, who were welcome guests at his father's house. Retiring from business with a liberal income, his benev- HORTICULTURE IN FLUSHING. 93 olence abounded to the full extent of his ability, and in conferring a favor he made himself the one obliged. Al- though a minister in the Society of Friends, his liberality in thought to all denominations was well known. His sincere and fervent piety, earnest and continual desire for the spiritual improvement of those among whom his lot was cast, and the whole tenor of his life make his memory valued among those now living who recollect him. Foremost among the advocates of public improve- ments, his fondness for trees induced him to commence a system of street planting, which, continued by his sons, has made Flushing noted for the beauty of its streets. The same taste led him to fix upon the nursery business for his sons, and in 1838 to commence the busi- ness, which, with some changes, has been continued since his death, in 1841. Passing at that date into the hands of his sons Samuel B. and Robert B. it was continued un- til 1872, during which time it had grown steadily. When the greatest demand for grapevines sprang up, in 1862, lasting until 1865, they increased their facilities for cul- tivation until their annual production in this one branch of the business amounted to over 800,000 vines annually. They became the only growers in this country of rhodo- dendrons and hardy azaleas and went largely into the culture of camelias. When the demand for dwellings made large inroads upon the nursery, and a single one of its acres sold for $10,000, Samuel B. Parsons, seeing no future in that village for the proper extension of the business for which his sons had been trained, decided in 1872 to remove his share of the firm's stock to some lands which he owned on Kissena Lake, the picturesque character of which particularly fitted them for an orna T mental nursery. He hoped also to prove, as he has suc- cessfully done, that plants grown in an exposed locality, open to all winds, possess, in their hardiness, an addi- tional value. At the same time he reserved for himself the southern part of the old nursery. To this new land there accompanied him his two sons and J. R. Trumpy, the successful propagator for the old firm, whose genius and skill are well known. The Kissena Nurseries, as they are called, are managed as a limited company, under the name of the Parsons & Sons Company, of which Samuel B. Parsons is president. Continuing the propagation of the class of specialties for which the old house was noted, they commenced gather- ing from foreign countries all the ornamental plants and trees which could be obtained ; especially from Japan, whence by the aid of Thomas Hogg, the well known col- lector, they were furnished with a variety rich, perfectly hardy, and containing many sorts unknown in Europe. Of these the Japan maples are conspicuous by their beauty, dwarf-like character, and thorough hardiness. One or two of these are grown elsewhere in this country, and several in Europe; but the entire collection of twenty-four varieties can only be found in Japan and in the Kissena Nurseries. The great variety of this gene- ral collection is described in a catalogue just issued. Some idea of its extent can be gained from the fact that an order recently filled for an arboretum being made at Menlo Park by ex-Governor Stanford, of California, in- cludes over sixteen hundred varieties. As a writer for the press Mr. S. B. Parsons has since 1840 attained a reputation for both literary ability and a knowledge of landscape gardening that has made his pen sought for by such publishers as the Harpers, and led to the republication of his articles in some of the best European magazines. His first published volume, "The Rose, its History, Culture, etc.," was issued in 1856, by Wiley & Halsted, and met with so favorable a reception that it was reissued in an enlarged and im- proved form in 1869, by Orange Judd & Co., as " Par- sons on the Rose." It has found its way to thousands of American homes, and done much to aid the growth of a love for the beautiful. His son Samuel has also be- come known as a writer for Scribner and others, and be- coming a partner with Mr. Calvert Vaux in the profes- sion of landscape gardening carries to it a knowledge of trees rarely found among landscape artists. The other son, George H., whose education like that of his brother has been practical as well as classical, has recently been engaged by the Denver and Rio Grande Railway Com- pany to organize a system of improvements on their lands in Colorado. The junior member of the old firm, Robert B. Parsons, retained the northern part of the old grounds, including the office and greenhouses on Broadway, and since the dissolution has conducted a large business in the special- ties of the old house, to which he has recently added the extensive culture of roses and cut flowers, for which, owing to the large number of greenhouses, the nursery is well adapted. Located in a convenient portion of the village, the nurseries of R. B. Parsons & Co. will well enter- tain a visitor, who will find there some curiosities, among them a magnificent weeping beech, unequaled in the country. The writer has been inclined to devote more space to the histories of these nurseries and those who are and have been identified with them than he would have done did not every step in their progress mark the value of proper training and refined tastes in this as in other business enterprises. At present they represent the combined taste and skill of three generations, and the influences that have gone out from them and educated the tastes of others cannot be overestimated. John Henderson 's Floral Gardens, occupying some sixteen acres on Parsons avenue, were opened in 1867. The owner, a native of London and descended from two generations of English florists, came to America in 1854, commenced business in a small way in Jersey City, be- came part owner of The Oaks, and is now the most ex- tensive cultivator of cut flowers in the vicinity. His ex- tensive establishment comprises twenty-four greenhouses, averaging one hundred feet long, warmed by four-inch hot water pipes, of which there are two and three-fourths miles, heated by fifteen large furnaces, consuming annu- ally four hundred tons of coal. Twelve men are em- ployed and the sales for 1880 comprised some 700,000 choice flowers, of which more than 400,000 were roses. 94 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. The products of these greenhouses are all handled through the New York city agency at 940 Broadway, and sold in bulk to retailers and bouquet makers. Among the specialties originated by Mr. Henderson are the Bouvar- dia Elegans, Tuba Rose Pearl, the new dwarf camelia and Carnation Snowden, the new dwarf white carnation. The Exotic Gardens, on Broadway near the Town Hall, were opened by John Cadness, and purchased by Leavitt & Lawlor. Their greenhouses are devoted to the culture of cut flowers, and the firm supplies'thejocal demand for bouquets and funeral and bridal pieces. The gardens and hotbeds are also devoted^to supplying the local demand for'early plants, and a fair business is done in potted flowering plants. The location of the grounds is convenient, and the new proprietors are young men of enterprise and ambition. G. R. Garrettson, seedsman, has the only seed farm in Flushing. It comprises about one hundred acres, and is on the Jamaica road, about a mile from the village. Mr. Garrettson was a pupil of Grant Thorburn, and was after- ward with Prince & Co. He established his present business on a small scale in 1836, and for many years did a large and flourishing trade. Increased competition has, however, induced him to curtail its dimensions, and it is now confined to the supply of his old customers, and the sale of seeds in bulk. Mr. Garrettson married a daughter of Daniel Bloodgood, and lives on the old Bloodgood homestead, which has been in the family since 1673. The Oaks, at Bayside, was first opened as a nursery by a member of the Hicks family, and was afterward owned by Lawrence and since his proprietorship by Henderson & Taylor. The estate has an area of three hundred and twenty-five acres, on which are twenty-four greenhouses, covering an acre, warmed by hot water pipes, employing fourteen men, and with a trade in plants and cut flowers of about $12,000 annually. The present owner, John Taylor, is a native of England, and the estate, aside from the value of its hothouse products, is one of the finest in the town, if not in Queens county. Burial Places. The oldest burial grounds known in the town are those of the Lawrence family, at Bayside; the Skidmores, at Fresh Meadows, and the Friends' meeting-house. We have some trace of the date of the Friends' ground being set apart, as a record of that society shows that in 1695 they raised money by a subscription for the purpose of fencing in their burial ground. On this no stone was allowed to mark the graves, and when one sister evaded the rules in spirit by planting a tree at the head of her husband's grave a stern old Quaker dug it up and de- stroyed it. Besides these the Parsons and Loweree fami- lies have private grounds. An old cemetery is connected with St. George's, and the Catholics have a consecrated ground connected with St. Michael's church. The rapid growth of population at Flushing made it necessary to agree upon some site for a village cemetery large enough to meet the wants of the locality for gene- rations to come, and capable of improvement to any extent deemed advisable. An association was incorpo- rated in 1853, and purchased a plot of twenty-one acres in a pleasant part of the town, about one and a half miles from the village, in the vicinity of Kissena Lake. Here the funds received from fees and from the sale of lots have been largely expended in beautifying the place, and added to this the large expenditures made by the owners of burial plots have been sufficient to make the cemetery one of the finest on the island. The association will take entire charge of a funeral when desired, furnishing carriages and attendants, and has a scale of prices for such funerals. This course has been adopted to prevent exorbitant charges by undertakers and liverymen, as well as to prove of service in cases where the deceased has no near friend capable of assuming such charge. WHITESTONE. This village — one of the earliest settled points in the town of Flushing — has a name of equal antiquity; it having been named from a large white stone or rock which lies off the point where the tides from the sound and the East River meet. During the popularity of De Witt Clinton a vote of the citizens at a public meeting named the village Clintonville; but the old name still clung to it, and when, in 1854, a post-office was established it was given the old familiar title. A. Kissam was the first postmaster. The present incum- bent of the office is Oliver Taff. The place was one of no business importance up to 1853, and in the year 1800 there were but twelve houses within a circuit of a mile. The date at which the village first took any decisive advance was, as has been said, 1853, at which time John D. Locke & Co., a firm of eastern manufacturers, established a manufactory of tin, japan and copper ware, which employed several hundred hands, and is still the most important business enterprise in the place. Here was the home of Francis Lewis, one of the sign- ers of the Declaration of Independence, and on his farm here General Morgan Lewis, afterward governor of New York, passed his youthful days. During the early years of the present century a ferry was established here — its other terminus being Throgg's Neck and the principal business done the transfer of cattle. It was under the charge of Henry Kissam for fourteen years. Sailboats were employed. In 1856 an unsuccessful attempt was made to revive the ferry. The rapid increase in population rendered necessary prompt and liberal action in educational and religious matters, and John D. Locke, who took up his residence here at the time of founding his factory, has been foremost in good works, and a public spirited citizen, without whose assistance the progress made would have been impossible. The shore at this place presents many attractions as a place of residence, and since about 1825 a considerable number of elegant mansions have been erected by gentle- INSTITUTIONS OF WHITESTONE. 9$ men from New York city and from the southern States — some of which are now the homes of prominent business and professional men whose offices are in New York. The first store in the town is said to have been near the landing here, and at this place watchmen were sta- tioned by order of the colonial authorities during the French war. Beds of potter's clay were found here, some of suffi- cient purity to be used in the manufacture of tobacco pipes, which industry was carried on to a small extent during the first half of the last century. An advertise- ment dated March 31st 1835 reads: "The widow of Thomas Parington offers for sale her farm at Whitestone, opposite Throgg's Point. It has 20 acres of clay ground fit for making tobacco pipes." Another of May 31st 1835: " Any person desirous may be supplied with vases, urns, flower pots, etc., to adorn gardens and tops of houses, or any other ornament made of clay, by Edmond Annely at Whitestone — he having set up the potter's business by means of a German family that he bought, who are supposed by their work to be the most ingeni- ous that ever arrived in America. He has clay capable of making eight different kinds of ware." locke's factory. John D. Locke began business November 17th 1827, in the manufacture of plain tinware, japanned ware, toys, planished ware, stamped ware and trimmings, the factory being located in Brooklyn. In 1845 the business was removed to Whitestone. There are 18 buildings devoted to the various branches of the enterprise, and the works occupy a block. The average number of employes is from 300 to 350. The business has increased almost constantly from the date of its establishment, and is now growing rapidly. Mr. Locke has a very large domestic and a considerable export trade, most of the goods ex- ported being shipped to Germany. A South American trade is about being established, and the reputation of the products of the factory is such that they will in time be introduced in most of the leading markets of the world. The goods are manufactured for the trade. The business is carried on under the personal supervision of the proprietor, and the affairs of the office and the ac- counts are managed by his son Frank M. Locke. The New York office and salesrooms, at 44 Cliff street, are under the supervision of Aubin G. Locke, another son of the proprietor. NEWSPAPERS. The initial number of the Whitestone Herald was issued by the Whitestone Herald Publishing Company, with John Steren as editor, May 24th 1871. A few months later Mr. Steren was succeeded by Charles W. Smith, the present editor of the Flushing Journal, who continued at the helm until February 1875. The Whitestone Print- ing Company was then formed; the paper changed hands and was controlled by George W. Van Siclen until March 1878, when it was purchased by W. S. Overton, under whose control the paper entered upon an era of prosper- ity and has become a valuable property. It is Democratic in politics but is chiefly devoted to local interests. The College Point Mirror, published at Whitestone by W. S. Overton, was established in the spring of 1879 by the present publisher, with C. B. Westervelt as editor. In the fall of the same .year Mr. Overton assumed edi- torial charge of the paper. The Mirror is independent politically, with a leaning toward Democratic principles. Its aim is purely to aid the best interests of the villages and the town whence it derives the greater part of its patronage. GRACE CHURCH. The services of the Protestant Episcopal church were first held in Whitestone, regularly, about 1840, in a building erected by Samuel Leggett and others, members of the Society of Friends. All religious denominations were allowed the use of this building, and, accordingly, soon after its erection several members of the Protest- ant Episcopal church and others residing in the place who preferred the services of that church requested the rectors of the neighboring parishes to hold services in the new building as often as practicable. Among the clergymen who united in maintaining the services of the Episcopal church for several years succeeding the above date were the rectors of St. George's church, Flushing, Rev. Henry M. Beard, D. D., of Zion church, Little Neck, the late Rev. W. A. Muhlenberg, D. D., at that time president of St. Paul's College, at College Point, and other clergymen who were professors in the institution, among whom we may mention Rev. Mr. Van Bokelyn, and Rt. Rev. J. B. Kerfoot, D. D., late bishop of the diocese of Pittsburgh. Several students of St. Paul's College, who were preparing for the university, also ren- dered very efficient service at this place as lay readers and teachers in the Sunday-school. In 1855 the same building in which services had been previously held was rented of the executors of Mr. Leg- gett, and Whitestone became a regularly organized mission of St. George's Church, Flushing. Services were now regularly held by Rev. William Short, assistant minister of St. George's Church, with the understanding that his field of labor should be especially within the limits of the village of Whitestone. The building in which the congregation worshiped was occupied for a period of nearly six years. The connection with the parish of St. George's, Flush- ing, was dissolved September 6th 1858, when the parish of Grace Church, Whitestone, was duly organized and the following officers elected : Abraham B. Sands and John D. Locke, wardens; Abraham Bininger, A. H. Kis- sam, Henry Lowerree, Henry Smith, Peter F. Westervelt, Griffith Rowe, Charles H. Miller and John Barrow, ves- trymen. At a meeting of the vestry, held September 12th the same year, the Rev. William Shortt, the minister in charge, was chosen rector. Owing to an increased pros- perity of the parish a very eligible site was purchased, and the corner stone of a new church edifice was laid with 9 6 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. the usual ceremonies May ist 1858. The new church, handsomely and tastefully built of brick, and estimated to have cost about $6,000, was completed and opened for service November 8th 1.860. Rev. William Shortt continued his ministrations in the parish until May 31st 1865, when failing health compelled him to resign. In June following a call was extended to Rev. B. H. Abbott, of Carbondale, Pa., who accepted and soon entered upon the rectorship of the parish. The same year two additional lots adjoining the church property were purchased and a Sunday-school building was erected. Rev. Mr. Abbott continued his services as rector until April 3d 1877. In the following December Rev. Joseph H. Young was called to the parish, and at once entered upon the duties of the rectorship. He re- signed April 28th 1879. In July of the same year a call was extended to the Rev. William F. Dickinson, M. D., rector's assistant to the Rev. J. R. Davenport, D. D., New York city, who entered upon his duties August ist 1879 and is the pres- ent incumbent. THE METHODIST CHURCH. The M. E. church of Whitestone was organized March 28th 1850, and the building was erected the same year, at a cost of $1,200. The first pastor was Rev. A. Y. Abbott. From 1855 to 1857 Rev. Mr. Fitch, principal of public schools at Flushing, preached here on Sunday evenings, and Orange Judd, of Flushing, had charge of the Sunday-school. In 1858 Rev. David Tuthill was ap- pointed pastor, but he left within the year, going to Arizona as a missionary. In 1859 Rev. D. A. Goodsell was appointed. Since that time the history of the church has been that of a struggle for maintenance against adverse circumstances. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. There is a Catholic church in Whitestone, which is under the charge of Father Connolly. The house of worship was formerly used by Protestant denominations. These facts are all the writer has been able to learn re- garding this church. FIRE DEPARTMENT — OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. The Whitestone Hook and Ladder and Bucket Com- pany was organized July 21st 187 1, with Thomas A. Harris as foreman, John D. Scott as assistant foreman, Charles Garrison as secretary and Nicholas Doscher as treasurer. There were sixteen members. The present membership is about thirty-five. James L. Coffin is foreman, James Murphy first assistant foreman, Charles Unger second assistant foreman, Wilbur Whittaker secre- tary and Alfred Wilmot treasurer. A. G. Montgomery is chief engineer of the department. J. G. Merritt and Joseph Winkler are assistant engineers. Captain Thomas A. Harris, who was prominent in the organization of the company, was for many years a member of the old New York volunteer fire department. The German Rifles is a military organization, Captain A. Martens commanding. It has been in existence seven or eight years. The first captain was C. Omman- heiser. The Liederkranz, a German musical society, was organ- ized in the fall of 1880 and has about a dozen members. John Seitz is the leader. COLLEGE POINT. This village is on the northwestern part of the tract of land known on the early charts as Tew's Neck, afterward as Lawrence's Neck, and which for more than a century formed the estate of the celebrated William Lawrence and his descendants. Here the elder Lawrence main- tained for many years the hospitable manners and courtly dignity of an English gentleman of his day, and took part in colonial matters of importance with a freshness and vigor that made him a marked man. After the close of the Revolution a part of this estate fell on the market, and a tract of three hundred and twenty acres was bought by Eliphalet Stratton, for ^500. But little of interest occurred here prior to the erection of St. Paul's College by Dr. Muhlenberg, in 1846. This institution was intended for the education of young men for the ministry of the Episcopal church. The buildings were still incomplete, although accommodations had been provided for about one hundred students, when the death of the founder put a stop to the enterprise, and in the settlement of his estate the building passed into other hands. It has since been occupied by private residences, the chapel, however, being still devoted to religious uses. During Dr. Muhlenberg's residence here he built, at his own expense, a plank walk across the meadows to Flushing, and in 1855 a causeway was constructed con- necting the two villages. The history of the place is that of a rapidly growing manufacturing village. In 1854 Conrad Poppenhusen, a German manufacturer, erected here a large factory, called the Enterprise Works, for the manufacture of hard rubber knife handles, toilet articles and other specialties. This establishment has employed as many as five hun- dred hands, and its success has led to the immigration of a class of German factory operatives, among whom other manufacturers have found it easy to obtain the class of labor they required, and have accordingly sought this as a location for their works. In 1880 the village formerly called Strattonsport, now incorporated as College Point, contained the works of the Enterprise Company, the New York India Rubber Comb Company, Funcke's College Point Ribbon Mills, the Germania Ultramarine Works, and the extensive brewery of Hirsch & Herman, with a goodly population, mostly of German and Swiss nationality. Many of those whose property is invested in manu- facturing interests here are residents of the village, and a number of city business men have built fine residences here. About the year 1852 the daughter of Eliphalet Stratton sold that part of his estate now included in the village, COLLEGE POINT— ITS CHURCHES. 91 for $30,000, retaining 180 acres in the family; thus the original investment of about $6 per acre yielded for the portion sold more than forty times that amount. To the Poppenhusen family is due the building of the New York, Flushing and North Shore Railroad, and many acts of public spirit in local affairs, that have done much to build up and beautify the place and increase the value of property. The College Point post-office was established in 1857, with H. Zuberbier as postmaster. Ferdinand Gentner is the present incumbent. The railway station was erected in 1868, and is a sub- stantial brick building, two stories high, 100 feet long by 25 wide, containing baggage, express and telegraph offices, two spacious waiting rooms and a restaurant. The first station agent was Julius Buhl, who had charge of all the offices in the building for a year. He was succeeded by Eliza Sea, with Lizzie Miller as ticket agent, and she by C. R. Englehardt, who was followed by Wilson Lowerree of Whitestone, the present agent, who was appointed in 1874. Miss Miller was succeeded as ticket agent by Misses Alcburger and Banks; the last-named in 1873 by Anna Schiller, the present ticket seller and telegraph operator. The village is well supplied with beer gardens and places of a similar character, and is often a place of Sunday resort for military and civic societies from New York and elsewhere, who discourse in the " liquid gut- turals " of the Fatherland, while they enjoy the sea breezes and the foam from College Point lager; much to the annoyance of the class of citizens who deprecate the advent of " a continental Sabbath," and to the grief of at least one of the former historians of Flushing. The large foreign element here demands a lax interpretation of ex- cise laws, and has heretofore been strong enough to practically enforce its view. Like most German villages College Point takes a deep interest in educational matters. Several private board- ing schools, taught by German professors and devoted largely to teaching music and languages, are well sus- tained; and choral societies and saengerbunds are a pop- ular avenue for social intercourse and the cultivation of the national taste for music. The Germans of this place in proportion to their ability — the large majority of them being poor factory operatives — have contributed liberally for the support of religion. The place is well adapted to ship building purposes, and at the time this article was written negotiations were pending for the establishment of a yard by an exper- ienced builder from the east end of the island. This port is the terminus of the People's line of steam- boats running to and from New York, and during the summer is a stopping point for the East River passenger boats, which, with the convenient railroad facilities af- forded by the North Shore road, render it convenient of access to parties doing business in New York, and tend to encourage immigration. CHURCH HISTORY. St. PauFs Free Chapel was built by a number of the friends of religious interests at College Point and else- where The Flushing Bible Society had for several years employed a colporteur, a Mr. Caldwell, at this place; but decided in 1859 to discontinue his services. A Sunday- school having been started by him, and growing rapidly in attendance, being held at the district school-house, it was determined to erect a free chapel, hoping that such an effort would crystallize the different elements of relig- ious faith here, and encourage assistance from more fa- vored localities. W. O. Chisholm, F. A. Potts, C. W. Whitney, Spencer H. Smith, W. H. Stebbins jr., and H. A. Bogert became a committee to carry out the pro- ject. Mr. Poppenhusen generously donated a plot of ground, and nearly $3,000 was raised by subscription. The building was completed January 1st i860. St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church was built at College Point in 1856, the corner stone having been laid in July, and the dedication occurring on the 1st of November, Bishop Loughlin, of the diocese of Brooklyn, officiating. The church is a frame building, seventy-five by thirty-three feet. The founder of the parish was Rev. Joseph Huber, a native of Austria, who was ordained at Albany in 1853 and served as assistant pastor of Holy Trinity Church of Brooklyn until he was sent to this place to organize a parish, which now consists of perhaps one hundred and fifty families, about equally divided be- tween the English and German speaking residents. The Sunday-school is in charge of Father Huber and a Miss Delaney and has an average attendance of sixty. A week day school, with about seventy-five scholars, in charge of a secular teacher, who is the church organist, and St. Fidelis Society — a co-operative relief association of about forty members, of which Jacob Becker is president — are the principal auxiliaries to the work of the church. One of the most imposing events in the history of St. Fidelis Church was the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the pastor's ordination, which occurred on May 21st 1878, in the presence of Bishop Loughlin, seventy priests and a host of friends. The church build- ing is located on Fifteenth street, near High. The German Evangelical Lutheran Church (unaltered Augsburgian confession) is named St. Johannes, and stands at the corner of Sixth avenue and Fourteenth street. Some members of the Lutheran Trinity Church in Ninth street, New York, Rev. Th. J. Brohm, had moved to Strattonsport, and Mr. Brohm came and preached at their request to the German settlers in the new place. On March 15th 1857 the first regular meet- ing was held and an organization formed. There were six members, viz.: H. Bannewitz, V. Dissen, P. Illers, E. Grube, C. Otto and J. Hebel. They are all still residents of the vicinity except Mr. Dissen, who moved away. The first services were held in the public school- house. G. Loeber, a nephew of the Rev. Mr. Brohm, organized a school, and preached Sundays until the end of the year 1857, when he received a call to Chicago. About this time the building of a church was resolved upon, money was collected among the members, as well as among friends in New York, Flushing and vicinity, 9 8 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. and a building for church and school purposes was com- menced. The walls and roof of the church were erected and the school-house was finished, in which through the winter Sunday services were held. In 1858 Rev. A. Heitmuller was called to be pastor of the congregation. The inside of the church was then finished, and on the 4th of July the building was dedicated by Rev. Th. Brohm. Rev. Mr. Heitmuller rem.iined until March 1861, when he was called to Elyria, Ohio, which call he accepted. In September following Rev. Julius Renz, of Fort Wayne, Ind., accepted a call and became minister. He staid until June 1863. In May 1864 Rev. A. Ebendrik was called to the pastoral care of the congregation. He accepted and still serves. In 1879 the church, 25 by 36 feet in size, proved too small, and it was resolved to make an addition of 20 feet to the length of it, which was accomplished. The congregation has no Sunday school of the kind common in this country, but every Sunday afternoon a public catechization of the young people is held by the pastor. In 1876 a lot adjoining the church was bought and a parsonage built upon it. EDUCATIONAL. The only public school in this part of the town at the commencement of the present century was held in a small red school-house near the sound. John McDer- mott, who taught here for several years, was one of the first teachers, if not the first, in Whitestone. The build- ing becoming inconvenient in size and location a new one was decided on, and on May 1st 1818 a lease from Hewlett Kissam, of a lot 45 by 20 feet, was granted to the district at a rental of three dollars. On this a small plain building was erected at a cost of $250. The first trustees were John L. Franklin, William Powell and Hewlett Kissam. This building was in use about twenty years. The first to teach in it was Thomas R. Starkins. Among the pupils who attended were Joseph Harris, James Fowler, George L. Smith and Edwin Powell — now among the most honored citizens of the town of Flushing. In 1838 the school had grown too large for its building and it became necessary to remove to the basement of what is now the Catholic church; a building owned at the time by Samuel Leggett, which is spoken of else- where, and the use of which was donated to the board by the philanthropic owner. Hon. B. W. Downing and William Thickett were teachers here for some time. After the death of Mr. Leggett his executor decided to charge rent for the basement, which fact, added to the dampness of the rooms, led to an effort to build a suit- able school-house. This was met by an attempted se- cession of the part of the district near Bayside, which, after a long struggle, was foiled; and a new building was erected in what was then the central portion of the vil- lage, at a cost of $800. The first term of school taught there was under the care of William Thickett. Until the year 1857 the school was supported by the payment of part tuition by the parents, John D. Locke very generously paying a dollar for every child who at- tended from the families of the employes in his large factory. On the 1 6th of April in the year last named a special law was obtained, making tuition absolutely free and providing for a board of education. This law went into effect June 1st 1857. Charles A. Roe, Aaron C. Underhill, W. H. Schemerhorn, Edwin Powell and Thomas Leggett jr. were appointed the first board of education. Under this system the school has continued prosperous. In 1873 the building then in use by the schools was purchased by the village council, who re- modeled it into a town hall. The board then erected the present building, a two-story brick structure con- taining nine rooms, seven of which are separated by sliding panels. Its entire cost was about $13,000. The schools are now consolidated into a union graded school, taught by seven teachers and with an average attendance of from two hundred and fifty to three hundred. The managers of the school state that its relations with the community are harmonious, and its reputation good. A school known as Leisemann's Institute from a small beginning grew to be quite well known and successful. Three or four years ago it was purchased by Adolph Von Uerhtritz, the present manager. Otto Fuerst established a boys' school, called Futrst's Institute, about 1874, which he conducted until his death in 1879. Mrs. Clark's private school is one of the local educational enterprises of the present time. THE COLLEGE POINT BREWERY. The brewing interests of this place have been among its most important business enterprises. The first one was started by Nicholas Centner, a German, who came from Newark, N. J., in 1854, and opened a place on Sixth avenue, between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets, which was discontinued in 1856. The most important of them, however, has been the establishment founded in 1868 by Adolph Levinger & Co., who came here from New York city. The buildings are on Eleventh street, built of brick, and oc- cupy a space two hundred feet square, with storing vaults below having a capacity of fifty thousand barrels, which is the annual capacity of the brewery. In 1872 the property was purchased by Jacob Hirsch, of New York, who removed here with his family in 1878. He has added to the buildings an ice-house, erected on the op- posite side of the street, where the summer's supply of ice — 5,000 tons — is annually stored. On the first of July 1880 George Herman, of Brooklyn, purchased an inter- est, and the brewery is now conducted under the firm name of Hirsch & Herman. About forty men and twelve teams are employed constantly, and the products of the brewery have acquired a wide demand among the lovers of the Teutonic beverage in many of the markets of the world, large quantities being bottled and shipped to Australia and other antipodal parts. SOCIETIES — THE HOSE COMPANY. Har7iw?iie Soricfy. — This is the oldest society at College Point. It was organized August 24th 1855, and incor- COLLEGE POINT SOCIETIES. 99 porated in 1874. It owns a good library, including a great number of music books; its hall is provided with a stage. The charter members were Dr. Weitzel, F. A. Zoeller, Frederick Busch, Gottlieb Schwieger, C. F. Simon, G. A. Fritz, F. G. Meyer, H. Glaser and Peter Buhl. The first officers were: C. F. Simon, president; F. A. Zoeller, vice-president; Peter Buhl, secretary; H. Glaser, secretary; G. A. Fritz, treasurer; Dr. Weitzel, F. G. Meyer and H. Glaser, finance committee. The successive presidents have been C. F. Simon, H. Zuberbier, J. H. Rehlander, Alexander Brehm, C. Glaeckner, C. Schiller and Matthias Conrad. The of- ficers in 1880 were: Matthias Conrad, president; Moritz Roesler, vice-president; J. Neumann, secretary; Ernst Foeller, assistant secretary; Eugene Luthi, librarian; F. Hohn, assistant librarian; N. Beiderlenden, treasurer; G. Golsner, G. Schubert, C. Schmidt, P. Wacker, Anton Klarmann, Nicholas Rosenbauer and C. Koppmeier, ex- ecutive committee; Albert Steinfeld, director. The membership is eighty- three. Regular meetings are held the first Sarurday of each month, and singing lessons given every Saturday evening in Gaiser's Hall. The property of the society is valued at $2,500. Union Hose Company, No. 1, was organized February 17th 1857, with the following first officers and original members : Messrs. Haubeil, foreman; Hebel, assistant foreman; Meier, treasurer; Schrell, secretary; Kannewitz, Winter, Corell and Wuerz. The successive foremen have been Messrs. Grossman, Nicholas Cauzet, Feldhaus, Henize, M. Jorch, F. Funk, A Ruebsamen, H. Mueller, C. Bauer, J. Becker, J. Wieners, Philip Lebknecher, Nicholas Becker, J. Strauss and F. Koch. The present (1 88 1) officers, besides the foreman, are : Alvis Reiss, assistant foreman; M. Braentigam, treasurer; H. Geiger, secretary. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month in the Turn Hall. Society Krakehlia. — This is the name of a singing so- ciety organized August 15th 1858, with F. Trunk, Theo- dore Feldhaus, John Meyer, Richard Lutters and Robert Lutters as members. F. Trunk was the first president ; W. Kaufman, vice-president; Richard Lutters, secretary; W. Mehus, treasurer, and Jacob Blank, musical director. F. Trunk was president five years, and was succeeded by W. Mehus, C. Regity, A. Rausch, W. Mehus, C. Krum- me, Lieber, R. Lutters, Philip Rattman (five years), F. Lutters (three years), James Blank and Jacob Huber, the present incumbents (1881). The other officers at that time were: Philip Lebknecher, vice-pres- ident; H. Dana, secretary; F. W. Mehus, treasuier; C. Doering, librarian; C. Decker and J. Steinbeck, archi- vists; C. F. Haas, director. Meetings are held at Krae- mer's hall every Saturday evening at eight. The objects of the society are vocal culture and social amusement. It has a good library. Marvin Lodge, No. 252, /. O. O. F. was organized October 26th 1870, with the following named first officers and charter members; William O. Duval, N. G.; Wil- liam Heinge, V. G.; F. W. Grell, secretary; F. Lutters, treasurer, and C. Stender. The following members have been elevated to the chair of noble grand : William O. Duval, William Heinge, F. W. Grell, F. Lutters, H. Kraemer, J. F. Wieners, Charles Marse, A. Jackers, F. Buckley, Joseph Blank, T. Miller, Matthew Frees, Eu- gene Luthi, F. W. Dackendorf, F. Ewers, Charles Frey- gang, F. Hunold, William Grimm, H. Kraemer, and P. Matz. The officers in 1881 were: A. K. Hunter, N. G.; John Kraemer, V. G.; F. W. Dackendorf, secretary, F. Ewers, treasurer; John Friedman, C; H. Williams; W.; Jacob Williams, S. W.; William Heinge, R. S.; William Grimm, L. S.; A. Jacobs, chaplain. Meetings are held at 8 p. m. Wednesdays, at the Poppenhusen Institute. Deutsche Rhein Lodge, No. 287, D. O. H. — This so- ciety was organized September 22nd 1872, and meets every Tuesday evening at Turn Hall. Its charter mem- bers were : Henry Horn, Jacob Huber, John Mangier, Moritz Levinger, H. Kugelberg and P. Hoffman. The first officers were : John Brehm, O. B.; John Mangier, U. B.; Moritz Levinger, secretary; H. Kugelberg, trea- surer; H. Horn, accountant. The successive presiding officers have been John Mangier, Jacob Huber, H. Horn, Henry Dana, Joseph Dackendorf, H. Decker, F. A. Mueller, F. Lutters, William Knote, Karl Klein, Augustus Meyer, John Rech, John Schmidt and H. Grosskurth. The officers in 1881 were: H. Grosskurth, Ex.-B.; John Weitzel, O. B.; F. Dackendorf, U. B.; F. Lutters, secretary; Henry Decker, treasurer; Frank Reindel, accountant. The Sick Relief Association of College Point was or- ganized February 11th 1873. The charter members were Carl Haubeil, Michael Braentigam, Daniel Barth, Gottfried Mahler, Mahler, Fr. Hetzer, Nicholas Rosen- bauer, George Hoffman, Nicholas Cauzet, August Ken- dell. The first officers were: Carl Haubeil, president; Michael Braentigam, vice-president; Gottfried Mahler, secretary; Daniel Barth, assistant secretary; Nicholas Rosenbauer, treasurer. The singing society Alpenroesli was organized January nth 1880. The charter members were A. Noetzli, J. Graefli, E. Luthi, J. Duerenberger, Th. Dannacher, Th. Bollier, M. Bollier, J. Wagner, G. Benz, E. Frey, William Recher, J. Hertner. The first officers were: A. Noetzli, president; J. Graefli, secretary; E. Luthi, vice-president. The presiding officers to this time have been A. Noetzli, E. Luthi and J. Graefli. The officers in 1881 were: J. Graefli, president; J. Duerenberger, vice-president; Th. Bollier, secretary; William Cooper, treasurer; A. Steinfeld, director. Singing lessons are taken every Monday evening. This society received a silver goblet as a prize at the international singing festival ir. Newark in August 1881. The Germania Sick Relief Association was organized July 5th 1881, with the following charter members: John Wahl, George Seibert,' John Haunfelder, Seb. Pickel, Nicholas Neu, August Kersten, Max Eisner. The first officers were: John Wahl, president; George Seibert, 13 100 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. vice-president; John Haunfelder, first secretary; Fer- dinand Schneier, second secretary; Nicholas Neu, treasurer. The officers in 1 88 1 were: Jacob Mueller, president; George Hoffmann, vice-president; Michael Schaefer, first secretary; August KL'ndell, second secretary; Fr. Landes, treasurer; Conrad Schmidt, Heinrich Meyer, Fr. Kutger, finance committee; August Kersten, Jacob Ehm, John Schuetter, trustees. BAYSIDE. Bayside, a pleasant line of handsome villas and sub- stantial farm houses, was settled very soon after the first immigration to Flushing. Here the Indians lived on friendly terms with the whites until the edicts of the Dutch governor required their disarmament, when they drifted to the south side of the island. Dr. John Rod- man, an eminent Quaker physician and minister, lived here some forty years, and died in 1731, respected by all who knew him. His family were some of them residents till long after the Revolution; and one of them, John Rodman, recovered in 1787 a judgment against the in- famous Hamilton of ^2,000 for the wanton destruction of his spruce timber by the tories, who were quartered here during his administration. The fine view of the sound and the healthfulness of the locality made it known as an eligible locality for country residences, and in Revolutionary times some of its residents were New York business men. The larger proportion of the property owners are of that class, including a number of retired professional men and a few Southern families. It is and probably always will be a country home; and as the sur- veyed village plot contains some five thousand building lots there will be ample room for years to come for all who are attracted by its many advantages. The enter- prise and refinement of the residents of Bayside have led to important improvements. THE UNION FREE SCHOOL. This school was organized from school district No. 2, which now has a population of about one thousand. The date of its establishment is January 15th 1864. The building, which was erected in i860, is on leased ground on the property of James Cain; but the sum of $i,oco was voted in 1880 for the purchase of a site, and steps are being taken to select a more convenient location and one fully under control of the school board. Hon. Luther C. Carter was the first president of the board, and served in that capacity until his removal to New York. The school has two carefully selected li- braries, one of which, containing some four hundred volumes, was the gift of President Carter. Three teachers are employed; the school is graded, and the reports for 1880 show a school population of 300, with a registered attendance of 170. The total valuation of the district is $460,500, and the tax rate averages twenty-five cents to $100. The board of education for 1881 consisted of John W. Harway, James W. Cain, Abraham Bell, John Strait- ton and John W. Ahles. THE BAYSIDE LITERARY SOCIETY. In November 1868 the late Edward R. Sheffield organized an educational society, and it was named after the place. Its object was mutual improvement in reading, recitations and debate. Its meetings were held weekly during the winter season, at the school-house, and a large membership was attained. In 1872, the older members having mainly withdrawn, the school board refused to allow the society the further use of the school-house, which was perhaps the very thing needed to quicken it into life again. Meetings were held that winter at the homes of the members and others, and on February 7th 1873 articles of incorporation were obtained by Eugene C. Roe, James W. Cain, James O'Donnell, T. Whitney Powell and Frank C. Bouse as trustees for the Bayside Literary Society — an organization for the pur- pose of encouraging home talent and the cultivation of the art of debating, as well as for literary and scientific purposes generally. A fine plot of ground, one hundred feet square, was donated to the society by Messrs. Straitton & Storm, and on Decoration day 1874 the corner stone of a hall was laid by Robert Willets, president, in presence of a large gathering of people. Hon. L. Bradford Prince delivered an address, and an important work was pleasantly and safely inaugurated. On the 1 6th of October of the same year the building was completed and formally opened. Bands and glee clubs from adjacent villages discoursed music, and Hon. B. W. Downing, Hon. L. B. Prince, J. W Covert, Eugene C. Roe and M. D. Gould made short and appropriate addresses, congratulating the people on the successful completion of Bayside Literary Hall. The trustees of the institution in 1881 were John Straitton, John W. Harway, James W. Cain, Frederic Storm and William Ahles. RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS. Some years since a feeble effort was made to establish a class of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, which resulted in failure. On the completion of Bayside Liter- ary Hall its trustees voted its use to any and all religious denominations who would make an effort to establish reg- ular services on Sunday. Immediately after the open- ing of the hall St. George's P. E. Church of Flushing ac- cepted the offer and established here a Sunday-school and mission, under the care of George R. Yandewater, lay reader, then in the theological seminary, now rector of a prominent church in Brooklyn. The meetings, which at first were largely attended, are still conducted, and with the Sunday-school form the only local religious interest. Some time about the year 1861 the Society of Friends contributed a fund with which they erected a small frame building on land the use of which was donated to them by Mrs. Bell, and opened a school, which they supported until 1877, when, the necessity for it having BAYSIDE— LITTLE NECK— WILLET'S POINT. ceased by reason of the excellent character of the public schools, it was abandoned. PROMINENT RESIDENTS. Messrs. Straitton & Storm, of New York, who built here country seats for themselves and homes for some eighteen or twenty families of the skilled workmen in their great cigar factory, have recently introduced the Holly water system, by an arrangement with the village of Flushing which permitted the tapping of one of its mains, and during the past year have effected a thorough system of sewerage on an improved plan, which applies to all of their buildings here and adds materially to their value from a hygienic stand point. James Cain, a well known and active Democratic poli- tician in the last generation, came to Long Island in 1828, engaging in farming and the milk business on land now covered by parts of Fifth avenue and Bergen street ( Brooklyn, and at one time tilled land within two blocks of where the City Hall now stands. He afterward oc- cupied the place known as Washington's headquarters, the farm-house on which was built in 1692. For twenty- three years he supplied a milk route in New York, and during eighteen years of that time claimed that he had never failed to serve his customers twice daily. In 1852 he became a resident of Bayside, purchased the farm on which he died, and took a general interest in political matters, though never as an office-seeker or in any official position. He died December 7th t88o, at the advanced age of seventy-six years. LITTLE NECK. Little Neck, in the extreme eastern part of the town, on a bay of the same name, is one of the most interesting localities in the town from an archaeological point of view. The vast quantity of clams and oysters found here made it a favorite residence of the Indians, and here much of the wampum used by the Five Nations was said to have been manufactured. Traces of Indian occupancy are frequent, and a large variety of relics has been unearthed in the vicinity. The part now known as Douglaston was first settled in the latter part of the seventeenth century by Thomas Hicks, who, assisted by a party of adherents from the mainland, drove off the Indians and forcibly seized their lands. This is perhaps the only part of the town of Flushing where such rank injustice was practiced The Hicks family have been represented in the locality down to the present time, although what was afterward called Point Douglass passed from them to one Shief, a Hollander; thence to Thomas Weeks, who sold it to Wynant Van Zandt, who in 1824 constructed the causeway connecting it with Flushing, and built the bridge at his own expense. His course was marked by the utmost liberality in all things, and the people of the town and of his neighborhood have in Zion's P. E. Church, which he erected and furnished, together with the glebe donated to the people of the place, a monument to his memory that will be far more lasting than any which wealth or affection could have erected for him. A post-office was established in 1859, with J. A. Chap- man as postmaster. A woolen-mill was built here at a place called " the Alley," by John Bird, who operated it until 1850, when it was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $10,000 and putting an end to the manufacturing interests of the place. The Van Zandt farm on Douglass Point was sold to George Douglass, and by his son W. B. Douglass has been laid out in a village plot and thrown on the market. Inducements are offered to purchasers that have been taken advantage of to some extent, and as the place is supplied with fair railroad facilities hopes are entertained that it will eventually become a popular place of residence for city people. The principal industry now carried on at Little Neck is the shipment of the clams, now famous throughout the country. In this a number of sloops are engaged. The bay was planted with oysters and for several years the yield was satisfactory, but, owing to the depredation of oyster thieves, the supply is now nearly exhausted. The docks were built in 1862, and are now used prin- cipally by the Van Nostrands for the coal business. WILLET'S POINT. This neck of land putting out into the sound east of Whitestohe remained an unimportant farm district, owned by the family whose name was given it, until the com- mencement of the late war, when a speculator, noting its strategic value, purchased it of the owners, and soon after transferred it for a large sum to the United States government, which commenced the erection of a massive fortress that was to command the approaches to the East River. In May 1861 a Maine regiment was quartered here, and during the war, while the erection of the fort was being carried on, the reservation was used to some extent as a hospital. The revolution in maritime warfare begun by the " Monitor," and completed by the torpedo, proved the futility of such defenses as this, and the government wisely decided not to complete it, but to establish here a head- quarters for a general system of coast and harbor de- fenses, by forming a permanent camp and school for the engineer corps of the regular army. It would be inter- esting to know how much of the success that the public attributes to skillful generals and brave soldiers is really due to this little body of men, whose organization up to 1846 consisted only of a few commissioned officers, and whose first company of sappers, miners and pontoniers, organized during that year and drilled by Lieutenant George B. McClellan, were the forerunners of the brave body of hard workers who were sneered at during the war for the Union as " McClellan's Pets." This.com- pany first saw service in the Mexican war, where during the siege of Vera Cruz they proved their value. From that time to 1861 the members of the company were scattered throughout the entire army, surveying, superin- tending the construction of forts and roads, and at West Point giving practical instruction to cadets. In 1861 I02" HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. four additional companies were created, making a total of five companies, with 10 sergeants, 10 corporals, 2 mu- sicians and 128 privates in each. After their laborious services in the late war — the worth of which every mili- tary man now appreciates — it was decided to make Wil- let's Point the headquarters of the engineering depart- ment, with three companies forming its garrison. (One company went to Goat Island, on the Pacific coast, an- other to West Point). Two reductions ordered since then have reduced the garrison at headquarters to 5 ser- geants, 4 corporals, 2 musicians and 39 privates in each company. The importance of this post consists in the fact that it *s the only military engineer depot of the United States, the arsenal for all sapping and mining tools and pontoon material needed for the equipage of its armies, the school for submarine mining, and the depot for all material per- taining to the present system of torpedo defenses. Here are to be found men bearing only the rank of pri- vate who are trained to be good mining engineers and fair mechanics, and given a knowledge of the proper method of handling armies, as well as of constructing buildings, bridges and entrenchments, that fits any one of them for the command of a division of men. Such men cannot be readily found in the rank and file of an army, but they have been, and the enlistment of intelligent men is encouraged by the high pay offered and the advantages which such training might afterward afford in private life. The department and post are under the command of General Abbott, who has been in charge here since 1865 He is a courteous and accomplished gentleman, and his influence and that of his family, who reside with him, have had a refining effect on the men of his command, difficult to measure, but readily seen by any one conver- sant with the tendencies of garrison and camp life. The reservation contains — besides the incomplete fort of huge masses of granite, presenting a semicircle of port-holes toward Hart's Island, and the really strong and fine earthworks crowning the point and commanding the entire sound — the parade-ground, a few hundred yards from the parapet of the fort, and on the west side of this the residence of the commandant, facing the bar- racks of the troops, which are ranged to the east of the parade. The south side is enclosed by three buildings containing officers' quarters and the " castle," a casino for them. On the north of the parade is the headquar- ters building, flanked on the right and left by two large buildings, accommodating married officers. The hos- pital and a few smaller buildings complete the immediate surroundings of the parade. In the background the company kitchens, post theater, model rooms, engine house, observatory, photographic and lithographic build- ings on the south, with a line of gardens between them and the parade, and from the hospital south the post school, library, and six buildings each sheltering the families of four married soldiers, form a street leading to the quartermaster's and subsistence departments; with shops for carpenters, painters, tinsmiths, blacksmiths and other artisans, warehouses, bakery, coal and wood yard, with stables and wagon yards closing on the south- western portion of the miniature city, which is covered with sheds and warehouses containing the entire pontoon bridge materials for an army, wagons to transport them, and also a fire-proof building where are stored large quantities of valuable instruments. The garrison seems composed of a busy, energetic, soldierly body of men, well satisfied with their lot but willing and ready to put their training into practice whenever it is needed. They have many friends among the citizens, and are the recipients of frequent invita- tipns to entertainments, both public and private, outside the reservation. CREEDMOOR. Creedmoor, widely known as the location of the na- tional rifle ranges and the scene of spirited contests be- tween the sharpshooters of this and other countries, lies on the southern border of the town. It derives its name from the Creed family, its former owners. It was selected by the National Rifle Association as a suitable place for rifle practice, land was bought, and the ranges were fitted up. It has a hotel and restaurant, owned by the associa- tion, and a post-office established for their convenience. Dreary and desolate in winter, it is in summer thronged by thousands of lovers of the range, and the scene of all the more important trials of skill between those who aim to shoot aright. The members of the association are but few of them residents of Queens county; and as the information most desired by those interested in such matters is already contained in the very complete annual reports issued by them, and to be had on application at their offices in Park row, New York, it is unnecessary to say more in a work of this character. THE VILLAGE OF FLUSHING. It is to be regretted that there can be found no definite date of the first settlement within the present village limits, although the early ownership of the soil indicates that it was made on what is now the Parsons estate, in 1645, by the Bowne family. Early records give but little clue to busin'ess interests at that period, but it is believed that Michael Millnor kept the first inn, prior to 1657, and that at a corresponding date a man whose name was forgotten long since opened a small re- tail store at the landing, where farm products were re- ceivable for molasses, salt, and a few other necessaries of life that could not be coaxed from the fertile soil. Dr. Henry Taylor was the first physician, who is known to have practiced during the last years of the seventeenth century, and the town clerk, Edward Hart, supplied the good offices of a conveyancer, and so made good the void which the absence of lawyers — of whom we find no mention until a much later date — must have otherwise left. The village, being for so many years merely the center of a farming country and devoid of manufacturing inter- EARLY HISTORY OF FLUSHING. ests, was of slow growth, and its first onward impetus is believed to have been gained from the success of Prince's Linncean Gardens, which furnished employment for a few men. The events of the Revolution tended to increase its population temporarily, and at the commencement of the present century there were probably more houses " to let " than can be found at present. In 1800 the village presented a somewhat forlorn appearance. Main street was a rough, hilly country road; what is now Broad- way was so narrow that it was with difficulty that two vehicles could pass each other. The water front was a disagreeable swamp, and near the foot of Main street, where is now the Town Hall, was a noisome frog pond. The entrance to Prince's nursery was at what is now the southeast corner of Broadway and Prince street, and Bloodgood's nurseries were a long way out of town. The old guardhouse at the corner of Union street and Broadway was the eastward terminus of the village. Main street had perhaps a dozen buildings on it, and in the radius of a mile might have been counted fifty dwellings, not one in five of the streets now crowded with human habitations having at that date any existence save perhaps in the imagination of some enthusiast whose vagaries were frowned upon as unwise and reckless. But within a few miles lay a city outgrowing its bounds, with thousands of people panting for country air and country quiet; and long ere convenient arrangements for transportation were effected the farmers of Flushing were selling corner lots, and two or three enterprising men were building to meet this growing want. Among these we have reason to mention Cyrus Peck and the senior Parsons, as well as Dr. Samuel Bloodgood, who became the village physician in 181 2. The labor re- quired to grade and open streets involved a large ex- pense, and after the incorporation of the village, in 1837, some $25,000 was paid out by individual subscriptions for such purposes. Private schools found a footing here at an early day, and the movement in favor of the free school system was inaugurated about 1841, and carried into successful operation in 1848. St. George's church, a small frame building, and the Friends' meeting house, were the only church buildings in the village prior to the building of an African M. E. church. Besides the nurseries of the Messrs. Prince, Bloodgood and Parsons, a sandpaper factory and the shipping and lumber business of the Pecks gave employ- ment to a considerable number of persons; and when, in 1837, the people of the village decided on incorporation, the population had increased to about two thousand peo- ple. The hard times following the panic of that year checked the growth of all places, and temporarily de- stroyed the value of real estate; but under judicious management Flushing village held her own, and in 1855 reported a population of 3,488 — nearly one-half that of the entire town. Real estate speculation has of course been rife; but while at times prices were perhaps too high for business sites and houses on the most popular streets, there has never been a time that a family of moderate means could not build for themselves a home in a really pleasant locality at much less expense than in many other of the suburbs of New York city, as these semi-metropolitan villages may be termed. The earliest direct communication with the city by stage was made by Willett Mott, in 1801. It consisted of a daily coach running from this village through New- town and Bedford to Brooklyn. He continued it seven years, charging fifty cents for a single fare. His succes- sors were Carman Smith and Mesrs. Greenwall, Kissam and John Boyd, who commenced running to Williams- burgh, across Grand street ferry, up Grand street, New York, to the Bowery, and thence to Chatham square, for a fare of fifty cents. This route was run until 1854, when the opening of the Flushing and North Shore Railroad ren- dered it no longer necessary. As has been said, canoes and sailboats were the first means of transfer by water, and the old landing was where the Peck coal docks now are. After the erection of the bridge a water dock was built. A packet run by Howell Smith was the next im- provement, and this, run afterward by Samuel Pryor and finally by Jonathan Peck, who replaced the old vessel by one with more ample and luxurious fittings, was the chief means of water communication until 1822, when a small steamboat ran as an experiment, and was followed, in the ensuing year, by one built expressly for this route, and commanded by Captain Peck, the son of the old packet master. This boat was named the " Linnaeus," and is said to have been well built and neatly furnished. In 1833 she was transferred to the New Rochelle route, and has since been followed by the " Flushing," Captain Curtis Peck; the "Statesman," Captain Elijah Peck; the " Star," by the same; the " Washington Irving," Captain Leonard;. "Island City," Captain S. Reynolds, and "Enoch Dean," Captain William Reynolds. In 1859 a company known as the Flushing, College Point and New York Ferry Company was organized, who purchased the " Enoch Dean," and built the People's line. The channel in Flushing Bay has required the outlay of considerable sums to make it available for general travel by large boats, and has been the subject of various government grants. It was dredged and deepened in 1833, 1857, 1859, 1880 and 1881. The opening of the two railroads which pierce the village has made it convenient of access, and with its steamboat facilities renders it to a great extent independ- ent of those attempts at extortion which carrying com- panies have been known to practice at places where there was no competition for the business. The first post-office in the town was at what was known as the Alley or Little Neck, and was kept in a woolen factory there until about 1822, when it was removed to the village. Mandeville relates that many of the villagers were opposed to the change, as they said that their let- ters and papers were " now left at the public-house, where they could get them at any time, which they could not do if the office was kept in the village, and only open at certain hours." The present postmaster is John VY. Rickey. Among early incumbents were Curtis Peck, io4 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. William Peck, Dr. Joseph Bloodgood, Dr. Asa Spaulding, Francis Bloodgood and Charles W. Cox. The charter of the village of Flushing bears date April 15th 1837. At the first election Robert B. Van Zandt became president of the board of trustees, whose first meeting was held June 6th 1837. The number of real estate owners assessed that year was one hundred and three, and the assessed valuation $465,300. Up to the year 1843 the meetings of the village officers were held at the places of business or residences of the members; but in that year a town hall was built at a cost of $1,000. Education in the Past and Present. The first school-teacher in the town is believed to have been John Houldon, who taught a private school from about 1660 to 1670, and of whom nothing more is known. Elizabeth Coperthwaite, a daughter of the Quaker preacher, who was a power among his people, taught from 1675 to 168 1. John Urquhart, who is first mentioned in 1690, was a man of family and kept board- ing scholars to some extent. The Quakers, foremost in good works, seemed to lire of this desultory system of education, and in 1803 took steps toward purchasing a lot and erecting a school building. It is probable that this plan was abandoned eventually, for when their meeting-house was repaired in 1705 an upper floor was laid and the story thus con- structed was divided into two rooms, which were used for school purposes. The first male teacher employed there is believed to have been Thomas Makins, who after- ward became a somewhat noted teacher in Philadelphia, and is credited with the authorship of a number of Latin poems. The interest thus eavly awakened in public instruction has been well sustained ; and in the early years of the present century the village of Flushing was more than ordinarily well supplied with private schools and academ- ic institutions. Lindley Murray Moore, and after him Joshua Kimber and William Chase, taught a boys' school, dating back to about 1810 and closing its doors finally in 1858. In 1818 a building was erected for an academy at an expense of $1,250, which was borne by John As- pinwall, Hutchins Smith, William Prince and two other gentlemen. It was opened by Professor William A. Houghton, in 1819, and conducted until 1825, when its place was filled by other institutions, and it was aban- doned. The building was afterward used many years as a lecture room for St. George's church. Rev. Charles Carpenter kept a boarding school from 1820 to 1824, a few doors above the Ewbank store, on Washington street. Mrs. Sarah K. Roberts's young ladies' school dates back to about 1854. Other private schools were short lived and of little note. The following are the most important of the educa- tional institutions of to-day: The first public school in this village was opened in a dwelling standing near the site of the present negro school, in Liberty street, on the 6th of April 1814, with nineteen scholars. It was at first taught gratuitously by members of the Flushing Female Association, two of whom served at a time. In July of that year this associ- ation, which was the founder of the school, engaged a teacher, paying a salary of $60 a year, and an allowance of $2 per week for board. The school was regularly visited by members of the guardian society, and on June 10th 1815 the first public examination occurred, " to the satisfaction of the audience, several being present from New York, one of whom evinced his approval by a do- nation of $20 to the school, and $10 to the teacher for her becoming behavior on the occasion." It was at first supported by voluntary contributions, scholars both white and colored being admitted free of charge, except where the parents were able and willing to pay. In 1829 schol- ars were required to pay two cents a week. The number in attendance on the day of opening was nineteen, which was afterward swelled to more than one hundred. The original idea of its founders was the education of the colored children, sums of money having been bequeathed by several Quakers for that purpose, and it was believed by them that the advantage of free instruction would also draw in all the children of the poor white people in the village. This hope, to a great extent, proved delusive, and since about 1844 the school has been taught exclusively for colored children. It has a revenue of about $300 a year, derived from the income of the following bequests: Thomas Tom, $250; Thomas Lawrence, $100; Nathaniel Smith, $500, and James Boyd Matthew Franklin, ^150 ^the interest to be applied to buying books for poor negro children, and also toward paying their schooling), and from fees of members of the association, which also erected the building in 1819, at a cost of $845, and still owns it. THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. At the time of the incorporation of the village its ter- ritory included nearly all of district 5, a small part of districts 2, 3 and 4, and a considerable portion of district 6; the only buildings within the corporate limits being that of No. 5 and the school just mentioned. By an act of the Legislature in 1841 the boundaries of district No. 5 were defined as follows : Beginning in the southwest corner of the village, running easterly to the street called Long lane; thence southerly along Long lane to its end; thence by the road eastward to a point two hundred yards southeast of the dwelling of G. S. Mitchell; from thence northwardly to a point one hun- dred yards east of the dwelling of Willet Bowne; thence northwesterly to a point one hundred yards east of the farm-house of Walter Bowne; thence in the same direc- tion one hundred yards east of the dwelling of Daniel Higgins; thence also in a northwesterly direction to a point one hundred yards north of the house of G. S. Howland; thence westerly to Flushing Bay at a point two hundred yards south of the dwelling of Piatt Strat- ton; thence southwardly by the west line to the place of beginning. The first entry on the earliest village school records in SCHOOLS OF FLUSHING. the possession of the present secretary is that of the meeting for organization under the law just quoted, at which John W. Lawrence, John Wilcomb, W. W. Valk> Samuel Willet and Robert B. Parsons were elected trustees. Steps were then taken toward the erection of a new school building, for which $400 was appropriated. This was afterward increased to $950. The building erected then, the Garden street school-house, was in 1844 supplemented by the basement of the Macedonia church, which, consisting of two rooms, accommodated the pupils until 1848, when the friends of education can- vassed the subject of free schools, and on due notice a special meeting was held March 29th of that year, when the question was decided in the affirmative, by a vote ot 140 to 87. A school-house site was then purchased of the Orthodox Friends, for the sum of $630, and a new building commenced. At the next regular meeting, November 27th 1849, new by-laws were adopted, and Thomas Harrison was engaged as principal, at a salary of $900. In 1855 the principal's" salary was increased $50 per annum, and at this time three lady teachers were employed. In 1855 an offer was made by the Flushing Female Association to turn over the colored school to the board of education, renting to them the building occupied by it, and agreeing to furnish suitable teachers for $300 per annum. As under the general school law this offer was advantageous to the district it was accept- ed, and that school has since been a part of the depart- ment. The rapid growth of the village and the demand for a higher standard of popular education led the board in 1873 to decide upon the issue of bonds and the erection of a high school building, which should be adequate to the wants of an increasing population and creditable to a village whose wealth and refinement had already placed it foremost in the list of rural municipalities. Here, as is sometimes the case, the friends of better schools met with the opposition of a class of taxpayers who regarded the question of cost as of prime importance; and after a long struggle they failed to secure the two-thirds majority necessary for their purpose. At the next meeting of the Legislature, however, a bill was passed making a majority vote sufficient, and after its passage the necessary vote was taken, and bonds to the amount of $40,000 were issued, grounds purchased of James B. Parsons, at a cost of $9,500, and the erection of the present handsome edifice commenced on the corner of Barclay street and Sandford avenue; the corner stone being laid October 17th 1873, with impressive ceremonies, in the presence of a large assembly, comprising many of the best known friends of public schools on the island. The board of education under whose care this important work was completed consisted of W. H. Farrington, Thomas Leg- gett jr. and Samuel B. Parsons. In 1876 the present efficient secretary, Marquis D. Gould, became a member of the board, and steps were taken to form the inde- pendent district of Flushing, with boundaries corres- ponding to the village lines, which was consummated by act of Legislature of June 15th 1877. The only town district suffering materially by the change was district No. 6, which lost thereby some $30,000 of assessable property. Acts of the Legislature in 1876 and 1878, conferring increased prerogatives and placing the school under the supervision of the regents of the university, have added to its efficiency, and made it popular with a class of non- resident pupils, who can here secure the benefits of an academic course at a low price, and of whom the reports for 1880 show over fifty in attendance. Some indication of the growth of the schools may be found in the fact that at the time of opening the high school building 416 pupils were reported on the rolls; while during the year 1880 there were 1,210 in attend- ance. The board reports to the regents in 1880 showed the number of children in the district to be 2,167; num- ber of buildings (inclusive of the negro school building, leased), 3; value of buildings owned, $67,000; bonded indebtedness, $53,000; mortgage indebtedness, $11,000; number of volumes, 1,339, valued at $961.93; apparatus, globes, etc., $755.14. The teachers consist of one superintendent, who is also principal of the high school, at a salary as principal of $1,000 and as superintendent of $800 annually, and twenty lady teachers at salaries ranging from $120 to $600. The assessed valuation of the district is $1,745,341. The members of the board for 1881 were: W. Downing, whose term expired during the year; C. W. Brown, whose term expires in 1882; Marquis D. Gould, whose term ex- pires in 1883; Isaac Bloodgood, who serves until 1884, and Samuel C. Parsons, whose term of office runs until 1885. Of these Isaac Bloodgood is president, Samuel B. Parsons treasurer, and M. D. Gould secretary. FLUSHING INSTITUTE. The property occupied by this institution was first used for educational purposes by Rev. Dr. W. A. Muhlenberg. He came from New York to Flushing in 1826 to take charge of St. George's Protestant Episcopal parish for two years. Hearing some gentlemen conversing one day about building an academy, with provision for a family and boarding pupils, he said if they would erect such a building as he desired he would occupy it and conduct the institution himself; and so the Flushing Institute was built, the corner stone being laid, with appropriate ceremonies, August nth 1827. In April 1845 Ezra Fairchild transferred to the insti- tute from New Jersey the school which he had begun in 1 8 1 6. It is now conducted by his son E. A. Fairchild, as principal, and A. P. Northrop as vice-principal. It is a private institution, unsectarian, and is designed for the higher education of young men and boys. sr. joskph's academy. St. Joseph's Academy is the most imposing institution in Queens county, and one of the most popular educa- tional establishments in the county. The buildings are large and commodious, having a front of 150 and a depth of 180 feet. They were erected at a cost of HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. $300,000. The grounds are beautifully laid out in shady walks and choice parterres. The traveling accom- modations are unsurpassed, the trains of the Flushing and North Side Railroad making hourly trips to New York. The course of study is divided into three grades, primary, grammar and academic; and at its completion diplomas are conferred on the successful competitors. Some two hundred graduates have already gone forth from the academy. From almost exery State in the Union pupils have come to this calm retreat of learning, and in many of the most distant homes of the land there are those who cherish the sweetest and happiest memo- ries of St. Joseph's. Merchants of Flushing. The name of the first resident trader, who exchanged salt, molasses, spices and rum for wampum and leaf tobacco, is unknown. The next is believed to have been John Bowne. From his day for many years the retail trade was mainly conducted by boatmen, who trans- ported produce to New York, and brought back the goods ordered by the shippers, thus obtaining freight both ways. The next resident merchant of any note was John Foster, who in 1736 suffered the loss of his house, store and contents by an incendiary fire. The New York Gazette reported but little saved, and the loss about ^2,000. In 1757 Samuel Borden advertises in the New York Mercury that owing to his advanced age " he is leaving off trade and offers for sale his merchant shop in Flushing." In 1760 John Wilson ran a sloop between the village and New York and kept a stock of goods. About the same time the ubiquitous Jew makes his ap- pearance, and Hart Aaron and Jacob Cohen become dry goods dealers in the village. From the last date up to the close of the Revolutionary war there was no lack of mercantile establishments, nor has the village had cause to complain of their scarcity during the present century. The most prominent of the last generation of merchants here were the Peck family, who introduced the coal trade about 1820, and the Lowerrees, who were active and enterprising dealers. The most important mercantile house of to-day is that of Clement & Bloodgood; while in specialties there are a number of houses worthy of mention. In coal and lum- ber George B. Roe & Co., J. Milnor Peck and the North Side Coal Company (successor to Robert Peck) share the trade. The book trade conducted by F. L. Prine, on Main street, includes as complete an assortment of literary, musical and artistic articles as can be found outside the counters of some large city house. In ice J. K. P. Bennett has practically a monopoly, but one judiciously and honestly managed. Mr. Prigge has a capital of $15,000 invested in the manufacture and sale pf confectionery and ice cream, and employs four men, besides the saleswoman in his retail store. S. J. Hallett & Co. are the principal furniture dealers, and F. G. Fowler a prominent undertaker. The number of small stores, bakeries and groceries is legion. Industrial Establishments. The sash, blind and lumber-mill of J. Milnor Peck and the Flushing Lumber and Building Company was erected by Isaac Peck sen. and his son, the present owner, in 1851, the original intention being to supply a local demand for builders' fittings. In 1868 the present proprietor commenced, in addition, the build- ing of ready-made portable houses, under a new and improved system, which branch of the business is now conducted under the name of the Flushing Lumber and Building Company, which is understood to mean Mr. Peck and those interested in the patents. A trade in articles of this nature is always slow of estab- lishment, but after a severe struggle against adverse cir- cumstances a growing trade has been opened through resident agents with South Africa, the West Indies, South America and the Isthmus, that indicates a successful future for a house well worthy of it. Mr. Peck also con- ducts the lumber and coal business, and employs, in all his enterprises, about forty men. In 1857 George B. Roe, Charles A. Willets and Charles C. Hicks associated themselves together under the firm name of George B. Roe & Co., for the purpose of carry- ing on the lumber business. At first they rented a small yard on the south of Bridge street, now Broadway, where they kept a fair assortment of building materials. They continued at that place eight years, when they purchased the property they now occupy. Two years later Mr. Hicks withdrew from the firm. The property of the firm is on Flushing Creek, with a water front of 900 feet, a frontage of 90c feet on Lawrence street, and 160 feet on Broadway. The only steamboat dock in the village is on this property. The firm extended its business by erect- ing a steam mill and placing therein all kinds of wood- working machinery, for planing, sawing, turning and making scroll-work, mouldings, &c. In addition to a large and varied stock of all kinds of lumber, the firm deals largely in brick, lime, cement, plaster and stone, and also largely in coal for domestic purposes, handling more, perhaps, than is handled at any other two yards in the county. Messrs. Roe & Co.'s facilities for handling coal are very complete. The coal is elevated by steam some thirty feet and dumped in iron cars, which hold one ton each. The cars pass over a tramway, on which is laid a T rail. This tramway is two hundred feet long, with turntables to enable the cars to run in any direction. The coal is then dumped in large "bunkers," capable of holding about 15,000 tons. From a comparatively small beginning Messrs. Roe & Co. have built up a large and lucrative business. Messrs. George B. Roe and Charles A. Willets are both natives of the village and town of Flushing. Their ancestors for several generations have also resided there. The following notice of this concern is from the Trade Review: '' There is little doubt in our mind that one of the most extensive, if not the largest coal, lumber, lime, brick and shingle yard on Long Island, outside the boundaries of t BUSINESS INSTITUTIONS OF FLUSHING. the city of Brooklyn, is that of George B. Roe & Co., corner of Broadway and Lawrence street (office No. 9 Main street), Flushing. The operations of the firm are extensive and varied, and of course occupy a large space in the industrial interests of the handsome suburban vil- lage that lies at the head of Flushing Bay. A reporter of this paper visited Flushing a few days ago, and among other establishments he visited in quest of information for readers of the Trade Revieiv was the yard and office of the above firm. He was at once impressed with the extent and great value of its business, and on retiring found his note-book well filled with items of trade interest, of which in this article we will make liberal use. The firm of George B. Roe & Co. is one of the oldest in Flushing. It owns extensive properties, both on the water line and in the town. Its docks have a frontage of 900 feet, and the line of the yard has a corresponding length, with a depth of 140 feet. In this yard are im- mense coal sheds, filled with the various sizes and grades of coal, both hard and soft; many cords of pine, oak, ash and hickory wood for kindling, which are sawed and split on the premises, for the use of those who consume it in the town; a splendid planing and band saw-mill, where every class of moulding is made for the trade. In this mill turner work is also done by hand and machinery, and in every style that may be desired; and finally there are stocks of fine lumbers, lime in barrels, lath, brick from various well known yards, shingles in bundles, and additional to these tiling, and piping for draining, cement, and every other article needed by the carpenter and the mason for building or for repairing. The capital carried by the firm in general stock ranges from $80,000 to $100,000. In exceedingly active seasons it rises above the last named sum. The trade in coal, which is only one of the branches of the firm's business, is of itself no light matter. The sales average about one thousand tons per month. Of course the demand for coal as well as for kindling wood is larger at certain seasons than at others, but at the end of the year the wood runs into hundreds of cords, and the coal reaches and sometimes goes be- yond twelve thousand tons. Of the work of the planing and sawing-mill we have no special record, beyond the general statement that it is kept busy during the working hours of the day — the machinery, all of the best and most improved modern kinds, being driven by steam — and that to meet the demands of the trade a respectable number of hands are employed. In receiving and moving coal the firm has many advantages. Among the leading ones are ready capital, by which purchases from first hands can be made with the usual percentage deduction, a barge (the firm's property), as also the docks, yards, mills, etc., by which not only coal but lumber and other stock is floated up the bay to the wharves and then stored in the adjoining yard. Mr. Roe, assisted by a son, has charge of the out-of-door business, which of course in- cludes the docks, barge, yard, planing and sawing-mill and general stock; while Mr. Willets, with his son, has his field of operations in the office, where orders are received and business details and financial transactions are en- tered on and concluded. An idea of the business trans- acted in Flushing and its immediate neighborhood by this firm may be obtained when we state that in average seasons eight carts and wagons are needed to convey coal and lumber to customers; and that on busy days, such as are liable to come to them when least expected, they have to go outside of the yard and employ extra assistants." Murray's Monumental Works, on Jaggar avenue and Bradford street, were established by J. F. Murray, a practical workman, and employ from two to four men in the manufacture of monuments, headstones, mantels and plumbers' slabs of marble or granite. There are several cigar shops, one of them doing a wholesale business. Jules E. Cartier, manufacturer of cigars and wholesale and retail dealer in tobaccos, es- tablished business here in 1875, with a capital of $4,000. His store and shop is at 99 Main street. He now em- ploys five men, has one team on the road, and does an annual business of about $20,000. The Ireland flouring mill, situated south of the vil- lage limits and run by the action of the tide, is believed to be on the site of the old Burling mill, of the seven- teenth century. It has been in the hands of a branch of the Bowne family since 1800, at which time the present building was erected. It is a frame structure forty feet square and four stories high, and has four runs of stones. It is owned and operated by the Bowne Brothers, dealers in flour, feed and grain at 83 and 85 Broadway, Flushing. The Flushing Gas Light Company was incorporated October 6th 1855, with a cash capital of $20,000 and the exclusive right of supplying gas to the village of Flushing for twenty years. Its first officers were: James R. Lowerree, president; Gilbert Hicks, treasurer; Charles A. Willets, secretary. The first year's business of the company amounted to the putting in of fifty meters, supplying that number of customers; and it was not until five years later that they were able to re- port one hundred meters and eighteen street lamps, with a total of two and one half miles of street mains laid, and a monthly consumption of 100,000 cubic feet. The long distance to which pipes were laid to obtain custom, and the distances between the residences of patrons, rendered the cost of establishing a remunerative business very great; but the managers had a faith in the future of the village which was amply justified by the results, and continued to supply asked-for extensions, in many cases at a total loss for years. At one time one of the mains two miles long supplied but three meters. In 1S68 the old works were replaced by the present substantial build- ings, with a generating capacity equal to the demand for many years to come; and the capital was increased to $41,000. The condition of the business in 1880 was as follows: Total length of street mains, nine miles; street lamps supplied, 101; private consumers, 271; monthly consumption, 5,110,000 cubic feet. The officers were: President, J. B. Brewster; secretary, R. S. Tucker; treasurer, C. A. Willets; superintendent, Dennis Sul- livan. 14 I IO HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. Profkssional Men. Perhaps there is no village in the United States of its size that can count among its residents so many profes- sional men as this; and to that class of brain workers it still offers unusual advantages, as convenient to the great metropolis, and yet sufficiently remote from the dirt and turmoil of the scene of daily contests to offer home in its best sense to the weary votary of ambition or science. The earliest known physician here was Dr. Henry Taylor, an Englishman, at one time an ardent advocate of royalty. A court record of 1675 relates his complaint against Francis Bloodgood and Myndert and Coerter for seditious words. In 1707 his barns at the village were destroyed by fire. The term of his residence and the time of his death are alike unknown; but, as his name appears prior to 1675 and after 1707 as that of a phy- sician in practice, more than thirty years of his life must have been passed here. Very nearly cotemporaneous with him was the well and widely known Rodman, physician, minister, farmer and Friend. A community having in it such families as the Law- rences, Bownes and Bloodgoods was not at a loss for legal advice on the simple real estate titles of the day; but for some years the business of conveyancing seems to have been delegated to Edward Hart, the clerk of the town. Thomas Hicks, of Little Neck, was, with David Colden, of this village, engaged in the practice of law prior to the Revolution; and as he was of marked tory proclivities, a Connecticut whaleboat robbed his house one night, car- rying off his library, which the Yankee skipper might have deemed bad law and responsible for his ill-timed loyalty. Of those whose birth or residence here has identified them with the history of the place we need only mention the youger Colden and Chancellor and Senator Sanford, who made his home here at the close of his marked pro- fessional and political career, and, after erecting the noble edifice known as Sanford Hall, died in 1837. These give some indications of the class of professsional men with whom the generation just passed away was familiar; while of the attorneys of to-day Hon. L. Bradford Prince, Judge Onderdonk, R. S. Bacon, LL. D., Robert C. Embree, Judge Lawrence and Messrs. Covert, Bogart, Downing, Van Bergen, Gibson, Johnstone, Frame, Roe, Treadwell, Hildreth and Van Nostrand are a few of the best known of Flushing's citizens " who to the law in- cline," and are, with but few exceptions, descendants of old Queens county families; many of them tracing their ancestry back in the town's history for five generations. So much cannot be said of the medical profession, as its practitioners are men whose term of residence here has not exceeded fifteen years, with the exception of Dr. Hicks, who has spent the greater portion of his life here, and attained a respectable reputation as a general prac- titioner. Drs. J. Howard Leven and E. A. Goodridge are partners, and occupy a handsome double house on Main street. Dr. J. Foster Maynard has an office on Farrington street, and Dr. Badger one on Locust street. Dr. E. P. Lawrence, a young physician graduated in 1879, is rapidly attaining a wide circle of patrons; a test of his popularity was made by his friends not long since, when a case of surgical instruments was to be given at a church fair to the most popular doctor on the island; although the contest was in Brooklyn, and Dr. Lawrence's competitors Brooklyn physicians, the prize was voted to him by a large majority of the votes cast. Dr. Leggett, and Mrs. Dr. Leggett, who has an office in New York, and Dr. Allen, a young homceopathist and an ardent habitue of the Niantic Club and advocate of athletic exercises, com- plete the list of general practitioners with whose diplomas or claims on the profession the writer has any knowl- edge. Macijonai.i>'s Insane Asylum. To the list of physicians it might be well to add the name of Dr. J. W. Barstow, who in 1854 succeeded Dr. Buell as resident physician of Macdonald's private in- sane asylum, at Sanford Hall, and since that time has been in charge of it. Repeated efforts to obtain infor- mation relative to this institution have resulted in the writer's being referred to Mandeville's " Flushing." Taking this as a guide it is found that Dr. James Mac- donald and his brother Allan Macdonald, somewhat known in insurance circles in New York, were formerly owners of a private asylum on Murray hill. The doctor had been in the employ of the State in the care of insane patients at Bloomingdale, where he obtained the post of resident physician when only twenty-one years old. Before he reached the age of thirty he was sent by the governors of the New York Hospital as a commissioner to Europe to visit the various asylums and report im- provements with a view to their adoption at Blooming- dale. Every important improvement in the care and treatment of the insane has been forced upon our notice by the asylums of Europe; and even now our asylum and hospital authorities are making frequent use of restraints and relics of barbarism long since discarded by similar institutions in England, France and Germany. After a tour of inspection lasting sixteen months Dr. Macdonald was invited to take charge of Bloomingdale, and make a practical use of his discoveries. He remained there about four years, and in 1839 revisited Europe. On his return, in 1841, he, with his brother, as stated, opened the private asylum as a business enterprise; and finding a rural site better adapted for it they purchased Senator Sanford's country seat — a beautiful marble building said to have cost nearly $130,000 to ertct, and set in a natural park of considerable extent — and to this place they re- moved their patients in 1845. The cost of purchasing and remodeling the place for its present use is not known, but must have been large; and tends to prove the profit- able character of that class of practice. Dr. Macdonald was evidently devoted to his profession, and conscientious in his care of the unfortunates to whom those marble halls were but the dingiest of prison cells. It is believed that too close application to the duties and studies of his position was the inciting cause of his death, which JOURNALISM AT FLUSHING— ODD FELLOWS. 1 1 1 occurred May 5th 1849, after an illness of but three days. From the death of its founder the institution was continued by the surviving partner and the doctor's widow until General Macdonald's death; since which time a firm known as Macdonald & Company, composed it is believed of members of the old family, have had it in charge. Since i860 there are no data obtainable through official sources. In that year Mandeville reports the average number of patients treated as forty-eight. Dr. Barstovv has remained in charge twenty-seven years, which would seem to indicate that his services are satis- factory to the owners. One of the most beautiful places in this beautiful vil- lage, Sanford Hall is also the saddest, and the writer would have been glad to have had it in his power to throw some rays of light and hope among those whose friends are within its walls, by the publication of tables showing progress made in the successful treatment of the various forms of mania, and that skill and good manage- ment were annually increasing the ratio of cures. This, however, is impossible; and he can only hope that in the near future there will come a day when the managers of such institutions will learn that the real cause for the uneasy feeling as regards them, the anxious criticism of laws relating to lunacy, and the dark suspicions that have clung to and crippled some of the best of their class, is the cautious manner in which they seek to prevent inter- course between patients and their friends except in their own presence, and set up obstacles to furnishing infor- mation to the public, which is just as much its due as that contained in the catalogue of a college or seminary. The Flushing Press. The first newspaper published in Flushing was the Church Record, the initial number being issued in 1840; it continued until 1844, about 3^ years. It was edited by Rev. Dr. F. L. Hawks and published by C. R. Lincoln. The Flushing Journal, which is published daily and weekly, is the oldest and largest newspaper in Flushing. It was started in 1842, its founder being the late Charles R. Lincoln. In 1869 and again in 1873 the Journal changed hands. Since the latter date it has been edited and published by Charles W. Smith, who has added greatly to the value of the concern in a business sense, as well as in the character and appearance of the paper itself. The Journal is perhaps the most widely read paper in Queens county, and enjoys a very large advertising patronage. The job printing office, which was fitted up expressly for the purpose, is probably not excelled outside of the great cities, and several publications have been issued from it which take equal rank with Harper's or Appleton's of New York. The Evening Journal was first published by C. W. Smith in 1878. Politics, Democratic. The Flushing Pomologist was published in 1848 by William R. Prince, and had but a short career. In 1852 the Public Voice was started by George W. Ralph, and in 1855 its name was changed to the Long Island Times. Up to September 1st 1881 it continued to be published by Walter R. Burling, its founder, who also established the Flushing Daily Times on September 1st 1865. During Mr. Burling's ownership it was neutral in politics. On September 1st 1881 the pro- prietorship of the Long Island Times and Flushing Daily Times became vested in a joint stock company under the name of the Long Island Times Publishing Company (^limited), which paid $1 2,000 for the concern. The edi- torial and general management of the papers is in charge of George R. Crowly, who was editor for a length of time under the former proprietor. E. A. Allen is presi- dent, Captain J. W. Dixon secretary, and A. K. P. Dennett treasurer. It is now Republican in politics. The Journal of the Institute was published for about three years between 1855 and 1859. Clubs and Societies. The close relation sustained so long between the peo- ple of Flushing and the city of New York is undoubtedly the reason why, notwithstanding the age of the town, the establishment of local societies, lodges and clubs is a matter of recent date. Pacific Lodge, No. 85, /. O. O. F. — This lodge was chartered April 17 th 1843, and organized two days later. The charter members were: C. Hilton, N. G.; J. S. Clut- terbruck, V. G. ; A. S. Wheeler, secretary; A. Winhamjr., treasurer; P. Stevenson. The successive noble grands have been as follows: C. Hilton, J. S. Clutterbruck, A. S. Wheeler, A. Win- ham jr., Thomas Trenchard, James B. Devoe, William Knighton, Uriah Mitchell, James Taylor, John Milburn, George W. Huntsman, John W. Lawrence, Garret R. Garretson, Abraham Bloodgood, H. C. Smith, Henry S. Hover, Edward Roe, Cornelius W. Howard, Edmund Howard, John H. Cornell, Charles Vandervoort, William Samnis, George B. Roe, William W. Balk, Charles H. Hedges, John M. E. Balk, Banardus Lamberson, John Purchase, Charles P. L. Balk, George Pople, Charles W. Cox, Frederick Thorp, Thomas Webb, Charles H. Miller, Richard Sanders. Thomas Elliott, Abram Johnson, John Conn, William H. Clark, George Lewis, Seahan W. Pur- chase, William Millne, Frederick Clages, George Fair- brother, George Hannett, Joseph Vedder, Charles A. S. Van Nostrand, Charles W. Brown, James \V. Covert, Charles R. Baker, Henry F. Lincoln, Oscar F. Leek, Benjamin Byrd, William J. R. Clark, Henry A. Foreman, Frederick Webb, Fernando T. Whiting, James H. Samnis, John R. Conn, James H. Lowerree, George P. Smith, William C. Ellis, J. Harvey Randolph, Joseph Dyke, John M. Dannott, Frederick Quarterman, William E. Phillips, John A. Young, John R. Lawrence, Frederick Schmidt and Charles H. Higgins. The present officers of the lodge (1881) are: Thomas Heasely, N. G.; John Cleater, V. G.; John A. Young, treasurer; James H. Lowerree, secretary; Edmund Howard, permanent secretary. Meetings are held semi-monthly in Odd Fellows' Hall, in the Queens County Savings Bank building. Ridgley Encampment, No. 60, /. O. O. F. — Ridgley Encampment was chartered August 23d 1871. The following were the charter members : George Pople, 112 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. Charles W. Brown, Henry F. Lincoln, Oscar C. Leek, William J. R. Clark, John R. Clark, Fred. Webb and' James H. Samnis. A Rifle Company was organized in January 1849. It belonged to the 15th regiment, and was known as the Hamilton Rifles. Its officers were: Captain, George B. Roe; first lieutenant, Henry A. Peck; second lieutenant, Henry S. Barto. The Flushing Library Association was founded in 1858 and nurtured by the most prominent citizens of the town. Its second annual report showed a membership of three hundred and twenty nine and a library of 1,100 volumes. Its president for many years was Hon. L. Bradford Prince. During the early years of the association the secretary and librarian was selected from among its mem- bers, and served without pay. This was found to work badly and a salary was voted which has been sufficient to keep the office filled by a faithful and attentive librarian; Miss Treadwell has been acting in that capacity for a long time. In 1876 the library contained 4,000 volumes, and a well arranged and finely printed catalogue was issued. Some additions have been made since that date, sufficient to keep up with the range of thought in the scientific department, but the number of volumes is about the same. The library occupies a pleasant room on Am- ity street, and the fittings and book cases are in good tastes. The insurances amount to $5,000. As the asso- ciation is not endowed, and depends almost exclusively on the slender membership fee of $2 per annum, liter- ary and dramatic entertainments have occasionally been given for its benefit. Mr. E. R. Pelton, the publisher of the Eclectic Magazine, and for years one of the warmest friends of the institution, is the president of the associa- tion. The Sylla Dramatic Association is the outgrowth of a desire to furnish the people of the place with a class of dramatic entertainments adapted for the family circle, and free from the objectionable features of professional plays. Its members are drawn from the best people of the village, and its success in accomplishing its end may be judged from the fact that while it always plays to well filled houses it requires a professional troupe of much more than ordinary ability to draw a paying audience here. Knights of Pythias. — This order is represented in Flushing by Oak Lodge, 166, which was instituted March 21st 1881, by Grand Chancellor O. M. Shedd. The first officers elected were: Chancellor commander, G. A. Roullin; vice-chancellor, G. Roskell Crowly; prelate, S. J. Hallet; M. of E., Frederick Schmidt; M. of F., A. Foster King; K. of R. and S., M. Posner; M. at A., R. White; past chancellors, Hon. W. F. J. Youngs, J. F. Huss, Charles L. Van De Water; trus- tees, J. F. Huss, C. Fichtner, A. F. King. There were 17 members when the lodge was instituted and 23 when the grand lodge granted a charter in July i88r. Since then the growth has been rapid, there being now 30 members. The Niantic Club was organized in i860, by Morris Franklin, Robert Tucker, R. L. Bowne, Robert Loudon, W. B. Lawrence and others, its object being the encour- agement of social intercourse. It comprises the most prominent citizens of Flushing, and has of late taken a lively interest in the development of athletic sports. It had in 1880 a membership of sixty, with an athletic aux- iliary comprising one hundred and twenty members. In 1878 it secured grounds comprising five or six acres, bounded by Jaggar and Maple avenues, Irving place and Division street, which were enclosed and on which a club-house was erected. The rooms of the club are on Sanford avenue at the corner of Parsons, where it has leased the large house formerly occupied by Mr. Graham of Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, New York, and adjoin- ing which it has built a bowling alley. Its rooms are furnished with all the appliances of a first-class club- house, and supplied with all the leading periodicals. The officers of the club for the year 1881 were: Morris Franklin, president; Robert Loudon, J. F. B. Mitchell and J. S. Tucker, vice-presidents; W. A. Allen, secre- tary; F. Elliman, treasurer. Its annual meetings occur on the first Friday in December, and monthly business meetings of the board of managers on the first Friday of each month. The morale of the institution is excellent and a membership in it is sought for by the most refined and intelligent citizens of Flushing. The Nereus Rowing Club was organized in June 185-, with the following members: H. L. Bogart, H. T. Van Nostrand, C. H. Van Nostrand, L. E. Embree, F. L. Northrup, E. Bowne, L. M. Franklin, J. Burdelle, J. J. Thompson, R. J. Loudon, E. M. Franklin, C. A. Willets jr. L. M. Franklin was elected president, C. A. Willets secretary and E. M. Franklin treasurer. The officers for 1880 were: President, L. M. Franklin; vice-president, R. S. Tucker; secretary, J. Q. Thompson; treasurer, Charles A. Willets; captain, John A.Walker; lieutenant, Frederick A. Guild. The fleet consists of one four-oared barge, one six, two four and two two-oared gigs, together with two double gigs, one four-oared shell and a number of single sculls, owned by individual members. The boat- house is on Flushing Creek, off Jackson avenue. The rowing course is over Flushing Bay, and on the creek in rough weather. The membership had increased to forty- nine in 1880. Articles of incorporation have been se- cured, and although the club is independent it is governed by the usual rules of amateur boating associations, and participates to some extent in regattas. Its business meetings are held monthly from April to November. The present captain, J. A. Walker, is a somewhat noted oarsman, and under his leadership the club bids fair to become expert in the fascinating exercise of rowing. A Young Men's Christian Association was organized in 1858 and supplied with a well-selected library of religious works. It held weekly meetings for prayer and literary exercises every two weeks. Some of its members were active in conducting mission Sunday-schools, distributing tracts and encouraging attendance on religious meetings. Peter Gorsline was its first president. Cornucopia Lodge, No. 563, F. 6° A. M. — A dispen- THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, FLUSHING. sation for the formation of this body was issued by M. W. Clinton F. Paige, September 12th 1864, and the lodge was duly warranted by the grand lodge of the State of New York in June 1865, and constituted by M. W. Robert D. Holmes, G. M., June 21st of that year. The following are the names of the masters and the years in which they were elected: C. W. Brown, 1864-67, 1873-75; L. Brad- ford Prince, 1868-70; J. L. Frame jr., 1869; Alexander Rogers, 187 1 ; George Pople, 1872; William L. Seaman, 1876; E. H. Frame, 1877-79; W. T. James, 1880. Past Masters Brown, Prince and E. H. Frame have held the position of district deputy grand master — the last named being the present incumbent. Cornucopia Lodge has one of the most spacious and elegant rooms in the vil- lage; its charities are numerous, and its public entertain- ments and receptions are always welcomed by the people of Flushing, as they have always been of the highest order of merit. RELIGIOUS HISTORY. THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. It is believed that the first meetings of this body of believers were held in private houses at as early a date as 1648, although no regular organized body existed un- til 1660. From the erection of the old Bowne house, in 1661, to 1695 the meetings were held there and on the adjoining grounds when, as was sometimes the case, the crowds were too great to gain admittance to the house. Perhaps the most prominent members were the Town- send brothers, Henry and John, who removed to New- town and Oyster Bay within a few years, where they still witnessed for the faith ; the Hicks family; John Lawrence, who became a convert through the influence of his wife; John Bowne, whose exile to Holland we have already related; his wife, who became a well known and powerful preacher; the Cornells, Farringtons, Hugh Cowperthwaite, Matthew Franklin, and, in latter days, the Parsons, Roe, Cocks, and Titus families. The following marriage certificate will give the reader an idea of what families were connected with the society in the old time, as the families of both bride and groom were prominent people, and the attendance at the mar- riage at least fairly representative. "Whereas, there hath been intentions of marriage be- tween Richard Lawrence, son of Joseph Lawrence, and Hannah Bowne, daughter of Samuel Bowne, both of Flushing, in Queens county and province of New York ; now this is to certifie ye truth to all people whom it may concern that said Richard Lawrence and Hannah Bowne did propose their aforesaid intention of marriage at several men and women's meetings of Friends in Flush- ing, by whom they were ordered to wait till inquiry was made whether they were clear from all others on that account. Inquiry being made and nothing appearing to hinder their proceedings, they having consent of parents and relations, the meeting gives them liberty to accom- plish their intended marriage, according to the good order used among us. And accordingly on this sixth day of ye second month, 17 17, at a meeting at the meeting- house in Flushing aforesaid, the said parties Richard Lawrence and Hannah Bowne took each other by ye hand, standing up in ye assembly, did solemnly declare they took each other to be husband and wife, promising with ye Lord's assistance to be true and loving husband and wife to each other till death separate. "And for further confirmation hereof they have here- unto set both their hand ye day and year above written, she taking ye name of her husband according to the custom of marriage. " Richard Lawrence. " Hannah Lawrence. "And we, whose names are under, with many others, are witnesses: Joseph Lawrence, Samuel Bowne, Mary Lawrence, Griffith Owen, John Salkeld, John Rodman, Hugh Copperthwaite, John Ryder, William Burling, Ed- ward Burling, Joshua Low, Joshua Delaplaine, John Hunter, George Aston, John Embre, John Lewis, Mary Lawrence, Mary Rodman, Mary Horn, Sarah Frankly, Mary Kinnin, James Jackson, Obadiah Lawrence, Joseph Thorne, Jacob Thorne, Thomas Horn, Jane Latham, Anne Bowne, Thomas Lawrence, Sarah Rodman, Franklin Ogden, Esther Delaplaine, Sarah Farrington, Mary Bowne, Elizabeth Catharine Field, Susannah Hedger, Mary Jackson, Robert Field, Jane L. Thorne, John Bowne, Elizabeth Bowne, Joshua Lawrence, Hannah Field, Sarah Bowne, Benjamin Potter, Rebeckah Jackson, John Rodman jr., Joseph Thorne, Martha Thorne, Han- nah Field, Deborah Lawrence, Field, Sarah Law- rence, Samuel Harrison, James Clement jr., Phebe J. Clement, Isaac Thorne, Adam Lawrence, Ann Haight, Benjamin Thorne, Hannah Bowne, Eleanor Bowne." One of the earliest large gatherings of Friends in Flushing is mentioned by the noted English Quaker Samuel Bownas. In his diary he says that he spoke to two thousand people on the Lord's day following his first arrest and while he was in the hands of the people. This was in 1702. The visit of the celebrated George Fox, in 1672, was an important event, and so great was the crowd that flocked to hear him — some coming from a distance of thirty miles — that the meetings were held out of doors, in the shade of two magnificent oaks, one of which is still standing, the other having been leveled by a storm in 1842, to the grief of all lovers of old landmarks and relics of the past. The trees have since been known as the Fox oaks, and have been the subject of many essays and poems. Fox's visit here strengthened the hands of the society, and it is said to have led to some important accessions. In all its history the society has been rich in good works; among them the first effort was made to educate the children of the slaves. The written records of the Friends comprise matters interesting to lovers of pioneer history sufficient in amount to fill a large volume, but the editor can only se- lect from them a few of the incidents that tend to mark the course of the society on questions of general interest, and give the reader some idea of what must have been the influence of such an earnest, self-sacrificing body of men and women on the morals of the community at large. On the nth of 7th mo. 1676, John liowne sells a par- cel of land for a burying place for ijQ 4s., being in the northwest bounds of his plantation whereon he now dwells, being five rods long and five broad. 1687, 7th of 2nd mo. — Friends are to speak to Win. H4 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. Noble about his selling of drink and to bring into the next meeting what he saith. 1695, 2nd of nth mo. — Samuel Deane, Samuel Haight, John VVay and John Farrington are to take care that the advice from the Philadelphia yearly meeting relating to the plainness of apparel should be put in practice here. 1700, 7th mo. — Wm. Penn visited Flushing and was the guest of Samuel Bowne, who went with him on a re- ligious visit to Jamaica, and there disbursed on account of entertainment for him and other Friends the sum of £1 is. 1703, 5th of 6th mo. — A schoolmaster being judged necessary for the town of Flushing, it is thought fit that Samuel Hoyt and Fr. Doughty seek out for a convenient piece of ground upon Richard Griffin's lot upon the cross way, which is near the center of the town, to pur- chase it and build a school-house thereon for the use of Friends. 1707, 4th of 10th mo. — Friends at Rocky Hill desire a meeting to be at James Jackson's every Third day. Granted; and it is to begin at 11 o'clock. 1709, 5th of 3d mo. — Thos. Makins, schoolmaster, sig- nified his willingness to sit with his scholars in the meet- ing and take care of them, which the meeting think well of, and desire him as much as may be to bring all Friends' children with him to meeting on Fifth day, and also unto the meeting day appropriated for the youth's meet- ing- 17 1 2, 24th of 3d mo. — The yearly meeting at Flushing moved to send to Friends in Europe and offer to receive and take care and pay the passage of about ten persons, such as shall come recommended from some meeting of Friends there — they serving such a time as shall be ad- judged reasonable and equal between all parties. The meeting order _£ig to be lent to Jacob Doughty to pay for James Scriven's freedom till he shall be able to re- pay it. In 1 7 16 a proposition was made by Horsman Mullenex concerning buying negroes for slaves, and at the next yearly meeting was tenderly spoken to, and postponed for further consideration, and in 1 7 1 8, 1 7 19 and 1720 was still before the meeting and developing considerable opposition. Several Friends declared they were fully satisfied in their conscience that said practice was not right in the sight of God. In 17 18 William Burling, of this meeting, published an " Address to the Elders of the Church " on slavery. This is perhaps the oldest anti-slavery publication in the country. In 1765, 5th of 9th month, Samuel Underhill, of New York, is dealt with for importing negroes from Africa. He condemns the practice and hopes to conduct himself more agreeable to Friends' principles in such matters. In 1775, 6th of 9th mo., " a committee is to visit such Friends as hold negro slaves, to inquire into the circumstances and manner of education of the slaves and give such advice as the nature of the case requires. 1776, 2nd of 5th mo., the commit- tee on negroes report that many Friends have them, but seem disposed to free them. Some have manumitted them, and instruct their children in necessary learning. Some justify their bondage. 2nd of 10 mo. the "com- mittee are desired to labor with Friends who keep these poor people in bondage, in the ability that truth may af- ford, for their release; and if they continue insensible, then Friends can have no unity with them so far as to employ them or accept of their services in the church or receive their collections. No Friend shall hire any negro held in bondage, neither take any negro or other slave that is not set free when of age, nor to do any act acknowledging the right of slavery." In 1778, 1st of 7th mo., the monthly meeting conclude to testify against all Friends that do not free their negroes. In 1781 they de- cide that something is due manumitted negroes who have spent the prime of their life in their masters' ser- vice. In 1 781 John Bowne and Matthew Farrington report that the fines of Friends in Flushing for not training or serving in the army amount to ,£194 us. iod. There is a stern, uncompromising honesty about the records given above that commends them as one of the most valuable and remarkable additions ever made to the literature of freedom. Not a word of bluster, no criti- cisms on the conduct of others, but a calm decision ar- rived at after fifty years of deliberation and discussion as to the duty of Friends " whom the truth hath made free." 1692, 15th of 10th mo., John Bowne and John Rod- man for £40 buy three acres of land for a meeting- house, in the town-spot, with the dwelling and orchard on it, with 60 acres more lying in the woods. From the erection of the meeting-house, in 1695, the most perfect harmony existed until the Hicksite contro- versy, relating to matters of doctrine and the author- ity of the London meeting, divided the society; the be- lievers in Elias Hicks's views retaining the meeting-house and property, and the others erecting a plain frame build- ing a little north of the old house, and becoming known as the Orthodox society. This latter body was blessed with many excellent members, among them James Par- sons, who was an eloquent and impressive preacher and for many years president of the New York yearly meet- ting ; yet the defection of the rising generation has so far weakened them that, although they maintain their meetings for worship, they are too few in numbers to transact business as a separate church. The other body, known as the Hicksites, still occupies the old meeting- house. THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. The early efforts on the part of the British governors to secure a foothold for the Church of England in Flushing were rendered, in a great measure, abortive by the very means taken to perfect them. The people who had embodied in their charter a clause that freed them from the authority of a State church would not consent to nullify that charter, although many of them felt kindly toward the established forms of worship of their mother country. Ministers from Newtown were appointed to the charge of this field, but uniformly found great trouble in executing the edicts of the governor and awakening any very decided interest in church matters. Too short- sighted to see the real cause, the blame was laid upon the Quakers, and, British power having been thwarted, British philanthropy took up the losing cause. In 1691 the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT FLUSHING. ii5 Parts discovered in Philadelphia a missionary whom it deemed a power for good, in the person of Rev. George Keith, a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, who had been a Quaker, held the office of surveyor general in New Jer- sey, and, having abjured the faith of the Friends and taken orders, was then acting as a tutor to the children of some wealthy families in Philadelphia. He was a learned and able man, with a fearless and unyielding dis- position and more suited for the role of martyr in a per- secution than that of a messenger of peace and good will to erring Friends. The society, however, believed that, having belonged to the Quakers, his influence for the church would be great in a Quaker community, and sent him to Long Island in 1702, in time to meet the eminent Samuel Bownas, who had recently arrived from Mary- land, and who, after refusing to dispute with Keith, had been followed by him to this place. He visited the Friends' meeting-house on a Sunday and interrupted their exercises by an attempt to address them. He was attended at that time by Rev. Mr. Vesey, of New York, Rev. John Talbot and several members of the Jamaica church. The scene that followed must have been a novel one, and well worthy of an artist's pencil. In his own words : " After some time of silence I began to speak, standing up in the gallery where their speakers use to stand when they speak; but I was so much inter- rupted by the clamour and noise that several of the Quakers made that I could not proceed." The Friends who had been familiar with his course charged him with having caused the arrest of their missionary, Bownas, and declined to hear him, but did listen to an address from a member of their own society for about an hour. A discus- sion followed, in which he says that he was charged with defrauding the poor of fifty pounds. The Friends' version of this is that he was warned by one of them that he was "liable in law for disturbing them, and that he had thus put himself in the Queen's debt fifty pounds." In December of the same year he renewed his efforts, and he says: "I visited again the Quaker meeting at Flushing, Long Island, having obtained a letter from Lord Cornbury to two justices of peace to go along with me to see that the Quakers should not interrupt me as they had formerly done; but, notwithstanding the two justices that came along with me to signify my Lord Cornbury's mind, by his letter to them, which was read to them in their meeting by Mr. Talbot, they used the like interruption as formerly, and took no notice of my Lord Cornbury's letter more than if it had been from any private person." Thus his efforts were again unsuccess- ful. It is not known that he made any further attempt to establish a church here; and during the following year he returned to England, becoming rector of Edburton, where he died. In 1704 Rev. Mr. Urquhart, of Jamaica, writes that he " preaches on the third Sunday, and prays at Newtown twice and Flushing once a month on the week days, and by the blessing of God the congregations in the respec- tive towns daily increase." Rev. C. Congreve, in his report to the society above named for the same year in which RectorUrquhart's hope- ful message is written, takes another view of the case. He says: " Flushing is another town in the same county; most of the inhabitants thereof are Quakers, who rove through the country from one village to another, talk blasphemy, corrupt the youth, and do much mischief." In July 1 7 10 Rev. Thomas Poyer became rector of the Jamaica church. He writes that his parish is fifteen miles long and six and a half broad, and his salary thirty-nine pounds sterling. This was paid to the Presby- terian minister,and expensive and tedious lawsuits resulted. He complains to the society at home that he is necessi- tated to keep two horses, "which is very expensive, and consumes me more clothes in one year than would serve another, who is not obliged to ride, for three or four. In Newtown and Flushing, for want of conveniences of pri- vate houses I am forced to make use of public ones, which is a very great charge to me, for I bring some of my family generally with me. If I did not they would be one-half the year without opportunities of public wor- ship." He finally asked to be relieved and allowed to return to England. He, however, remained until his death, January 15th 1731, and in his twenty years' min- istry found his way to the hearts of a number of the most prominent people of Flushing. Rev. Thomas Col- gan, who succeeded him, writes in 1735: "Several of the Quakers of Flushing do as often as it is my turn to officiate there attend upon divine service." In 1744: " The several churches belonging to my cure, Jamaica, Newtown and Flushing, are in a very peaceable and growing state." The services at this village were held in the old guard-house; but in 1746 Captain Hugh Went- worth, who had a country seat here, donated to the church a plot of ground, and a small frame building with a spire was erected. John Aspinwall and Thomas Gre- nell are credited with defraying the expense of the spire, and Mr. Aspinwall presented the church with " a very fine bell of five hundred pounds' weight." The number of communicants was then about twenty, and the date of the organization was probably about 1744, but of that there is no record. The Bible given by the home society, at the request of Rector Colgan, a prayer book, dated 1746, and the chancel rail of the old building are now in possession of the rector. In 1749 the rector relates a somewhat remarkable inci- dent: " It may be thought worthy of notice that a man who had for many years strictly adhered to the principles of Quakerism, when the new church was opened and a collection made, gave money for the use of the church; but, thinking he had not put enough in the plate, went immediately after service and gave more to the collect- or." Mandeville in his " Flushing, Past and Present " remarks, in a cynical mood, for which his cloth is a suffi- cient excuse: "A thousand pities that he had not told his name; that such an example of liberality in sentiment and purse might have been perpetuated for the benefit of succeeding generations." In 1 76 1 a charter of incorporation, under the name of St. George's Church, was granted by Governor Colden. n6 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. The petitioners were John Aspinwall, Joseph Bowne, Francis Brown, Charles Cornell, John Dyer, Isaac Doughty, Benjamin Fowler, Thomas Grenell (Grinnell '), Joseph Haviland, Foster Lewis, John Morrell, Jacamiah Mitchell, John Marston, Christopher Robert, Daniel Thorn, Jacob Thorn, Nathaniel Tom, William Thorn, Benjamin Thorn, Charles Wright and John Wilson. In their petition they say that they have no minister of their own; that divine service is seldom performed, as there is but one minister for Jamaica, Newtown and Flushing; that they have erected a decent church, and intend to provide for the support of a clergyman. Tt will be noticed that among the above names are several of marked Quaker antecedents. This may be explained in this way: The French war had aroused the patriotism of the people, and the call for troops found many willing to respond, or at least disposed to furnish substitutes; the young men particularly were enthusiastic. The measures taken by the Quakers, who insisted on entire neutrality and the strictest interpretation of their noncombative theory, put them in an unpleasant posi- tion. They must either forego their ideas of patriotism and submit to heavy fines for not training in the militia, or withdraw from the society and find some church militant where they could both " worship God and keep their powder dry." The latter alternative was taken by several, and to this is attributable, in a great measure, the fact alluded to. From 1795 to 1797 there was a controversy between the three churches about the arrangement of services; and in [797 St. George's church called to its pastorate Rev. E. D. Rattoone — Jamaica uniting in the call. This gentleman resided midway between Flushing and Ja- maica, and was dependent for his support on the interest of £900 and the pledge of ^100 additional if it could be raised. He presented to the church its present corporate seal, but was afterward repaid by the vestry. In 1802 Mr. Rattoone resigned, and, a disagreement arising be- tween this church and that at Jamaica, owing to the latter soliciting and obtaining subscriptions from the members of St. George's, this church decided to separate from Jamaica and unite with Newtown in the support of a pastor. In 1803 the two churches called Rev. Abra- ham L. Clark, who continued to officiate for both until October 3d 1809, when he confined his services to New- town, and the pulpit of St. George's was vacated, to be filled on November 4th of that year by Rev. Brazilla Buckley, who thus became the first sole rector of this church, and he remained so until his death, March 9th 1820. In August of that year Rev. J. V. E. Thorne was called, and a new church building was agreed upon. James Bloodgood, Thomas Phillips and Isaac Peck were the building committee, and on May 25th 1821 the edi fice, now standing in the rear of the church and used for school purposes, was consecrated. The list of rectors from that time to the present is as follows: Rev. W. A. Muhlenberg, D. D., called in 1826; Rev. W. H. Lewis, D. D., called in 1829; Rev. J. M. Forbes, 1833; Rev. S. R. Johnson, 1834; Rev. R. B. Van Kleek, 1835; Rev.Frederick Goodwin, 1837; Rev. George Burcher, 1844, and died in May 1847; and Rev. J. Car- penter Smith, D. I)., called in 1847, and stili the faithful and untiring pastor, whose life here has been eloquent of good works. For some years he has been assisted by a curate. In 1838 the church was enlarged, at a cost of $[,700, and in 1853 the corner stone of the present imposing edifice was laid. The building is of dark cut stone and cost some $33,000. Isaac Peck, Allan Macdonald and William H. Schemerhorn were the building committee. It was completed and consecrated in June 1854. The grounds and churchyard on Main street have been in possession of the society since 1746, and the old bell presented by John Aspinwall was on the erection of the new church remelted and incorporated in the new one now in use, at the expense ot a descendant of Mr. As- pinwall. MKTHODISM IN FLUSHING. The first Methodist church in the town was organized among the colored people, in 181 1, known as the Mace- donian Church, and supplied by white preachers until 1816, when it became connected with the African M. E. Church. At that time there were no white Methodists in the town; and it is said of Rev. Benjamin Griffin, who was junior preacher on the Jamaica circuit in 1815, that when he preached at Flushing he was accommodated with food and lodging by the colored people. The first Methodist minister that preached to a con- gregation of white people was Rev. Samuel Cochran, who in 1820 addressed an audience of twelve persons in a dwelling house on Liberty (now Lincoln) street, east of Garretson's seed stores. The nucleus was thus formed of a society that afterward worshiped at a private house on Main street, and in 182 1 in a school-room. The first white Methodist family of which we have any account was composed of William, James and Jane Quan- tock, from England, as it was in their house, on Lincoln street, that the first meeting was held. Gold Silliman soon after came here from Brooklyn, and proved an ac- tive member many years. Charles and William Peck ar- rived from New York, and by their zeal and efficiency gave great encouragement to the little class. In 1822 the society bought two lots on Washington street and erected a frame building, in which it wor- shiped until 1843, when a new church was built on Main street, north of Washington. In 1859, when Rev. J. L. Peck was pastor, the building was repaired, a tower erect- ed, an organ bought, and other improvements effected, at a cost of $4,500. In order to obtain a more commo- dious and central location the church building was re- moved to its present site on Amity street in 1875, when it was rededicated, Revs. L. R. Dashiell, D.D., and J. S. Willis assisting. There is no record of either of the for- mer dedicatory services. In 1823 Rev. Luman Andrews was appointed to the " mission on the west end of Long Island," and out of METHODIST, CATHOLIC AND REFORMED CHURCHES, FLUSHING. 117 this mission Flushing circuit was organized August 14th 1824. The persons present at the quarterly meeting at which this action was taken, which was held at the resi- dence of Charles VV. Carpenter, were Rev. Laban Clark, presiding elder; J. Luckey and J. W. Lefevre, circuit preachers; C. W. Carpenter, local preacher; Charles Peck and Joseph Harper, class leaders; and Daniel North. The circuit was composed of Flushing, New- town, Hallet's Cove, Williamsburgh, Yellow Hook and New Utrecht. The financial report of this meeting shows that the " quaterage and traveling expenses " paid the presiding elder and circuit preachers for the previous three months amounted to $30.36, which was one cent in excess of the receipts. The following year the circuit paid $134.92 salary to Rev. Robert Seney, whose son has recently made gifts to Wesleyan University, and toward founding a Methodist hospital in Brooklyn, of more than half a million of dol- lars. In 1834 the Flushing church separated from the circuit and became a station, with Rev. Alexander Hulin as its first resident pastor. Charles Peck was the first class leader and William Peck the first steward. Caleb Smith was appointed class leader in 1838, and has held the office continuously since that time. The singing was first conducted by Samuel Post, whose brother William was for more than thirty years the chorister. Instrumental music met with some opposition, and the first melodeon was placed in the church gallery near midnight on Satur- day, in order to obtain a test of its availability before some indignant opponent could prevent it. The Sunday-school was first held on Saturday after- noon and consisted of a small class taught by Miss Han- nah Peck, afterward the wife of Joseph W. Harper, of Harper & Brothers. William Peck was superintendent many years. The school attained its greatest interest and membership during the superintendency of Orange Judd, who was elected in 1858 and served fourteen years. Since becoming a station this church has had pastors as follows: 1834, Alexander Hulin; 1835, David Plumb; 1836, John L. Gilder; 1837, 1838, William Thatcher; 1839, Daniel Wright; 1840, George Brown; 1841, Elbert Osborn; 1842, John J. Matthias; 1843, I &44> Benjamin Griffin; 1845, 1846, D. Osborn; 1847, J. W. B. Wood; 1848, 1849, J. B. Mervine; 1850, Samuel W. Law; 185 1, Abraham S. Francis; 1852, 1853, Ira Abbott; 1854, 1855, W. F. Collins; 1856, 1857, T. H. Burch; 1858, 1859, J. L. Peck; i860, 1861, E. L. Janes; 1864, 1865, Horace Cooke; 1866-68, G. R. Crooks; 1869-71, G. Taylor; 1872-74, W. H. Simonson; 1875, 1876, George Stillman; 1877, 1878, Levi P. Perry; 1879, Arvine C. Bowdish; 1880, Robert W. Jones. st. michael's roman catholic church. In October 1826 the Catholics of Flushing, then only twelve in number, invited the Rev. Father Farnham, of Brooklyn, to come and minister to them. He complied, and the first mass was celebrated in a small house on Main street. Their numbers increased gradually until too great for their place of meeting, and a larger house, on Liberty street, was bought and fitted up, where ser- vices were held once a month by Father Curran, of As- toria. This building, after being twice enlarged, proved insufficient to accommodate the increasing congregation; and on the 8th of June 1841 four lots were bought on the corner of Union street and Madison avenue, where the church now stands; and a frame church seventy-two by thirty-five feet was erected. The building of the church brought considerable acccessions to the numbers of the congregation, and at the request of the people Bishop Hughes sent Father Wheeler to minister here; he thus becoming the first resident priest. After a few years he was succeeded by Rev. Joh.i McMahon. In 1854 the church, a slightly built edifice, became too dilapidated to be enlarged to meet the demands of a still growing assembly, and a new and more elegant building was decided on. The Rev. James O'Burne, who was at that time the pastor, took the matter in charge, and was aided by the heartiest efforts of all his people. The corner stone was laid on the 24th of June 1854, and on the following Christmas day the building was so near completion that mass was celebrated within its walls. The work from that date progressed slowly, assisted by munificent gifts from many ladies and gentlemen of dif- ferent denominations, and on the 4th of October 1856 it was dedicated by Bishop Loughlin, of Brooklyn. The church is a beautiful gothic structure of cut stone, and is the most costly church building in the town. St. Michael's parochial school was organized August 1st 1853, under the patronage of the pastor, Father McMahon. It had its origin in the objection of Catholic parents to having their children learn the Protestant Scriptures, which were read in the public schools. A meeting was held, a school decided on, and in a few weeks funds were raised for the erection of a building, from which has grown the handsome edifice accommo- dating the successful school of to-day. In 1858 the at- tendance was more than three hundred daily, and three teachers were employed, the school being entirely free to all. In 1880 the attendance was larger and the school was in every sense a success. THE REFORMED CHURCH. The Protestant Reformed Dutch, now known as the Reformed, Church is of comparatively recent origin. The history of this denomination is somewhat analogous to that of the Episcopal church in its early efforts and failures. As is well known, it was the State church of Holland, and Governor Stuyvesant's attempts to establish it here have already been referred to. About the year 1645 Rev. Francis Doughty — who had left England on account of religious persecutions, and, coming to New England, found, as he expressed it, that he had " got out of the frying-pan into the fire " — was banished from Mas- sachusetts on account of his religious vagaries, and be- came the minister at Vlissingen. In a report to the classis of Amsterdam " Dominies Megapolensis and Drisius say in 1657 at Flushing they heretofore had a 15 n8 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. Presbyterian preacher, who conformed to our church, but many of them became endowed with divers opinions, and it was with them quot homines, tot sentcntiae. They ab- sented themselves from preaching, nor would they pay the preacher his promised stipend." On June 10th 1645 the record contains the following: " William Oerritse sings libelous songs against the Rev. Francis Doughty, for which he is sentenced to be tied to the May-pole." In j 65 3 or 1654 the Rev. Mr. Doughty appears against William and John Lawrence, John Hicks and Captain Underhill for back salary. Underhill, who was nothing if not quarrelsome, had locked the church doors against him, because, as he said, Doughty preached against the government. Underhill about that time had inaugurated a little private rebellion of his own against his Knicker- bocker rulers. The defense to the action was that Gov- ernor Stuyvesant had forced the town to sign the call to Doughty against the wishes of the people. The contract for salary had been burned a year before the trial, by Mrs. William Lawrence, who with a woman's habitual disregard for business papers (a trait she must have been cured of when as Lady Carteret she afterward became acting governor of New Jersey) had put it under a pie in the oven. Disheartened and financially embarrassed, Doughty left Flushing for Virginia, but left a son behind him, who in 1766 brought his father's suit against the town to a successful issue, and obtained a verdict of six hundred guilders in payment of six years' salary. Dominie Doughty was undoubtedly the first religious teacher in the place. He removed to Virginia in 1656; was said to have been imbued with some peculiar doc- trines and opposed to infant baptism. His family, the descendants of a son and daughter who married here, were afterward for many years identified with the Qua- kers, and the ancestors of a large and widely scattered family of that name. From the time of Doughty's departure there is no record of his place having been filled by any resident preacher; and it seems probable that during the re- mainder of the Knickerbocker administration preaching was supplied by preachers from Newtown and Jamaica, at which points churches had been erected. For nearly two hundred years a total blank occurs in the history of the denomination here. The arm of flesh failed to uphold the church, and it was not until the names of the old bigoted Knickerbockers had been lost to history that a successful effort was made to found a Reformed church in Flushing. Rev. William R. Gordon, of Manhasset, commenced holding services about the year 1841 in a hall on Bridge street, and in 1842 he or- ganized a chuch of six members. Soon afterward Mr. Gordon was induced to become its pastor. Services were held in a school room on Church street, with an increas- ing congregation, until 1845, when Gardner G. Howland and William Henry Roe were appointed a building com- mittee, and the church edifice was erected, at a cost of $12,000. It is pleasantly located at the corner of Prince and Washington streets, and is built of cut stone, which was brought from Blackwell's Island. The tower con- tains a fine bell (which is also used for a fire alarm; and the town clock. In the spring of 1859 the church was enlarged and repaired, and an organ built, at an expense of $3,000. The lecture room is a neat building on a lot adjoining the church. In 1850 Mr. Gordon resigned and removed to New York, and after remaining vacant for nearly eighteen months the pulpit was filled by Rev. G. Henry Mande- ville, who accepted the pastorate July 28th 1851. Dur ing a term of eight years' service Mr. Mandeville was instrumental in largely increasing the membership and strength, and in his hours of leisure prepared, and after ward published, a breezy little volume entitled " Flush- ing, Past and Present," to which the present writer is indebted for much of the material used in this historical sketch of the town. In August 1859 he removed to New- burgh, N. Y., and in September following Rev. W. W. Halloway was called and settled as pastor. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The movement which resulted in the organization of the First Congregational Church of Flushing began in a meeting which was held in the chapel of the Flushing In- stitute, January 23d 185 1. At this meeting it was unan- imously voted that it was "expedient to unite in a new organization for the public worship of God." This conviction was reaffirmed at a meeting held at the house of D. S. Williams February 18th of the same year; and at this meeting a committee, consisting of D. S. Wil- liams, S. A. Smith and B. L. Fowler, was appointed "to take iniatory steps for the organization of a (new and independent; church, and to draw up a confession of faith, covenant, and standing rules for its government, to be reported at a future meeting of those who propose to unite with it." The denominational complexion of the new organiza- tion was determined April 4th, and steps were taken to secure a place for holding worship. The union school- house on Church street was rented and fitted up for this purpose, and on April 20th the first religious services were held, the Rev. Charles Parker, of New York, offi- ciating. The articles of faith, the covenant, the form of admis- sion, and the standing rules were adopted at various meetings held during the months of May and June, and on June 9th a committee was appointed " to invite the attendance of a council of ministers and delegates to or- ganize a Congregational church," if it should be deemed expedient. Pursuant to the invitation a council convened at the union school-house Tuesday July 1st 185 1. Rev. D. C. Lansing, D.D., was chosen moderator, and Wil- liam C. Gilman scribe. After listening to the report of the committee appointed by those who proposed to enter the new organization, and examining the confession of faith and covenant, the council signified approval of the action taken, and assigned the public services of recog- nition as follows: Introductory prayer, reading of Scrip- tures and sermon, Rev. George B. Cheever, D.D.; read- ing the articles of faith and the covenant, and constitut- CONGREGATIONAL AND BAPTIST CHURCHES, FLUSHING. 119 ing prayer, Rev. D. C. Lansing, D.D.; fellowship of the churches, Rev. R. S. Storrsjr.; address to the church and concluding prayer, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher; bene- diction by the moderator, Rev. Dr. Lansing. On the same evening those who had applied for admission to ■membership in the new organization, and whose applica- tions had been approved, publicly assented to the articles of faith and the covenant, and were received to member- ship. The church, as thus constituted, consisted of eighteen members, as follows: Robert B. Parsons, John B. Holmes and Richard Cornell, received on profession -of faith; Scoville D. Foote, Mrs. Martha W. Foote, Ben- jamin L. Fowler, Mrs. Jane S. Fowler, Gilbert G. Weeks, Mrs. Cornelia M. Weeks, John Fowler, Mrs. Letitia Ann Fowler, S. Addison Smith, Mrs. Mary E. Holmes, Mrs. Nellopee C. Rickey, by letters from the Reformed Dutch church at Flushing ; Jeremiah De Graff and Mrs. Caro- line De Graff, by letter from the Presbyterian church of Newtown; David S. Williams and Mrs. Phila A. Williams, by letter from the Broadway Tabernacle Congregational church, New York city. The ordinance of the Lord's Supper was celebrated for the first time September 7th 1851, Rev. Joshua Leavitt, of New York, officiating. The first board of officers was as follows: Deacons, Thomas F. Harrison, John Fowler; clerk, David S. Wil- liams; treasurer, Benjamin L. Fowler; prudential com- mittee, Richard Cornell, S. Addison Smith, Robert B. Parsons. Mr. Harrison resigned soon after his election, and at the first annual meeting, April 21st 1852, Gilbert G. Weeks was chosen in his stead. On the 9th of September 185 1 the congregation met and organized a religious society in accordance with the laws of the State, under the corporate name of " The First Congregational Society of Flushing, L. I." The following persons were elected trustees: Robert B. Par- sons and John Rickey for one year, Thomas F. Harrison and Rufus Leavitt for two years, Edward Roe and David S. Williams for three years. The first pastor was Rev. Charles O. Reynolds, of East Hartford, Conn., who was ordained October 28th 1851, and dismissed by council September 5th 1854. His suc- cessors have been as follows: Rev. S. Bourne, of Hart- ford, ordained December 6th 1859; Rev. Henry T Staats, of Princeton, ordained February 1st i860, dis missed by council October 26th i860. After Mr. Staats's resignation Rev. P. M. Bartlett supplied the pulpit six- teen months, from January 1861 to May 1862. Rev. Henry H. McFarland was ordained June 16th 1863, and was dismissed by mutual council April 24th 1866. Rev. John A. French was engaged as stated supply in Sep- tember 1866, and ministered about two years. Rev. Martin L. Williston began his labors in June 1869, was ordained March 3d 1870, and dismissed by council May 7 th 1872. Rev. Albert C. Reed was called in June 1873, installed October 30th 1873, and dismissed by council April 3d 1878. Rev. James O. Averill, the present in- cumbent, was ordained June 17th 1879. He has preached, as stated supply, since January 19th 1879. The first church building was erected on the east side of Union street, near what is now Washington street, and •adjoining the present primary school building. Work was begun upon it about the 1st of December 185 1, and it was dedicated January 29th 1852. Its seating capacity was about 275, and its cost about $800. This first edi- fice was subsequently removed to its present location on Lincoln street, in the rear of the church, and it is now used as a chapel and Sunday-school room. The large and commodious edifice in which the church now worships was built in 1856, on the southwest corner of Bowne avenue and Lincoln street, on ground presented to the society by the Messrs. Parsons. The auditorium is 75 by 55 feet, and has a seating capacity of about five hundred. The building and its furniture are valued at $10,000. A Sabbath-school was established soon after the or- ganization of the church, and it has been steadily main- tained ever since. D. S. Williams was the first superin- tendent, and for twelve years or more he was annually elected to that office, until failing health compelled him to relinquish it. R. B. Parsons is the present superin- tendent. There are about one hundred names on the rolls of the school, and the average attendance is eighty. There is a small but well selected library of Sunday- school books, and a parish library of one hundred and fifty volumes. The Sabbath-school meets at 9 o'clock every Sabbath morning. THE BAPTIST CHURCH. This body was organized January 17th 1857, two hun- dred years after the first attempt to instill the doctrines of the denomination here and the first act of persecu- tion, which the colonial records relate as follows: " In 1656 William Wickendam, a cobbler from Rhode Island, came to Flushing, and began to preach, and went with the people into the river and dipped them. For this he was fined ^100, and ordered to be banished. As he was poor and had a family the fine was remitted. Hallet, the sheriff, had dared to collect conventicles in his house, and had permitted Wickendam to preach and administer the sacraments, though not called thereto by any eccle- siastical authority. For this he was removed from office and fined ^50. Wickendam, who was a personal friend of Roger Wil- liams, submitted to his sentence, and the interest that had been awakened died out or was absorbed by the Quaker revivals of the time; and, strange as it may seem to those who know the fearless zeal and untiring mission- ary spirit of this denomination, no attempt to organize seems to have been made prior to the date first given above. The first meetings of the church were held in the school-rooms of a Miss Hammond, and in 1857 a neat little church was erected at the junction of Jamaica and Jaggar avenues. Rev. Howard Osgood was the first pastor. MOUNT PLEASANT UNION CHAPEL, at what is known as " the head of the Vleigh," was built in 1858, Thomas Whitson donating the land and Mrs Mary Pell subscribing the largest part of the cost of its erection. It has been occupied by a union Sunday- school and for mission services by the clergymen of dif- ferent denominations from the adjacent villages. During the winter of 1880-81 Rev. J. W. Smith, of Jamaica, held services there. 1 20 HISTORY OY QUEENS COUNTY. ROBERT M. BELL. Robert M. Bell is a son of Richard and Rachael (Moore) Bell, and is of Irish extraction on his father's side; his mother was a Quakeress. Mr. Bell was born about six miles west of Port De- posit, in Cecil county, Md., March 3d 1807. Orphaned at the age of ten, by the death of his father, Robert went to live, with his mother, at Sadsbury, Lancaster county, Pa., and remained there and with other relatives in the vicinity until 1824, when he was induced to take charge of the farm of his uncle, Abram Bell, in the town of Flushing, Long Island, of which a small part of Mr. Bell's present farm formed a portion. December 19th 1832 Mr. Bell married Miss Catharine H. Lawrence, a sister of Cornelius, Joseph and Richard Lawrence, who were all at one time prominent and influential citizens of New York, who died January 7th 1880. Mr. Bell has two children, a son and a daughter, named respectively Richard M. and Lillie, the latter now the wife of Mr. John W. Ahles, a member of the Produce Exchange of New York. Richard M. Bell married Miss Julia Black, of Mt. Holly. N. J., whose father was for six years president of the Mt. Holly Bank. Left early, in a measure, on his own resources, Mr. Bell learned that self-reliance which, combined with accurate judgment, energy, perseverance and a wise ad- ministration of business affairs, has enabled him to carve out his own fortune successfully, and to stand at the present time among the best known and most respected of Flushing's citizens. In 1830 Mr. Bell bought the old Lawrence farm, consisting of 160 acres, which, together with other lands and property, constitutes his estate. Upon the marriage of his son he provided an ample homestead from the paternal property for him and his. In all matters of local public interest Mr. Bell has ever been prominent, and has always aided with his time, judgment and means all efforts for the benefit of his townsmen. His home, which is located in one of the pleasantest spots in the town of Flushing, is presided over by a sister of his late wife, who supplies, as far as. may be, the place of her who has gone to her reward. THE FLUSHING BATTERY. ^ ^^^^Z^y/^ > Major Roemer's Battery. The Flushing Guards was the first uniformed military organization in the town. It was commissioned as light infantry, and attached to the old 93d regiment as a flank company November 1st 1839. Its first parade, January 16th 1840, turned out twenty-six uniforms. Attaining a high degree of discipline, its designation was changed in 1843 to artillery; and in June 1845 to light horse artil- lery and it was attached to Storm's famous 1st brigade, in which it took high rank. The brilliant movements of the battery attracted the attention of the general in com- mand, and its parades called together the most celebrated tacticians of the State, who styled it " the incomparable," and gave it the name of Bragg's battery — the hero of Buena Vista not then having become a traitor to his flag. At the outbreak of the Mexican war the battery, eager to prove that its members were not carpet knights, volun- teered its services, but they were not needed. A time was to come, however, when the test of soldierly qualities was to be fully and severely made. The first captain was Charles A. Hamilton. On his promotion he was succeeded by William O. Mitchell, and he by Thomas L. Robinson, who was in command when the late war broke out. The battery soon aban- doned the name by which outsiders had christened it, and adopted that of the old commander, by which it was known for some years. Responding to the call of President Lincoln for three years' troops the Hamilton Light Artillery was recruited to its full complement early in June 1861, and 156 men, under Captain T. L. Robinson, First Lieutenant Jacob Roemer, Second Lieutenant Standish, Third Lieutenant Hamilton and Fourth Lieutenant Rowelle, marched to Washington, where in the spring of 1862 the battery was reorganized: Lieutenant Roemer becoming its captain, Lieutenant Rowelle first lieutenant, Standish second lieutenant, Cooper third and Heasely fourth; and the bat- IG HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. 122 tery was attached to the 2nd N. Y. light artillery as Bat- tery L, and assigned to duty in the 10th army corps. The first engagement of the command was at Cedar Mountain, August 9th 1862, in which six of the horses were shot. On the 29th and 30th days of the same month occurred the memorable battle of Manassas, or the sec- ond Bull Run, as it is sometimes called. During the first day Battery L sustained no losses; but on the second the left wing of the Union army was driven in by a charge and during a hot engagement, lasting but about five minutes, 56 rounds were fired, Captain Roemer and thir- teen men were wounded — one mortally — and twenty horses killed. The next trial of the metal of this battery was at Antietam, September 1 6th and 17th 1862, when it supported the infantry who charged the Antietam bridge, and lost two men wounded and three horses killed. After this decisive victory the battery was assigned to duty with the 9th corps, and for twenty-seven days was stationed on picket duty before Fredericksburg; on the nth and 12th of December it sustained a sharp engage- ment, in which one man was killed and two were wounded. After that date the corps fell back to Falmouth Heights, and went into winter quarters. On February 5th 1863 the corps struck tents and, marching to Acqua Creek, embarked for Newport News. After a stay there of three weeks it was ordered to Baltimore, and from thence sent to Lexington, Ky., to join the army of the Ohio, under Burnside. After three weeks the corps started in pursuit of Mosby, following him through Winchester, Stanford, Crab Orchard and Huckman's, back to Lexing- ton, and on the 3d of June marched for Vicksburg, where it arrived on the 18th, taking position on Haines's Bluff. On the 4th of July occurred the memorable surrender of Vicksburg, and immediately afterward this battery was sent to Jackson, Miss., where with the 9th corps it took posi- tion on the nth, bombarding that city for six days, when it was abandoned by the enemy. The next movement was a return to Lexington, and an advance to the Cumber- land Gap, the taking of which and the march to Knox- ville were without incidents of especial interest. After the capture of Knoxville commences a thrilling chapter in the history of this battery. The next movement of the army of Burnside was di- rected againt Johnston's advance, and the 9th and 24th corps were marched to Blue Springs, where a sharp en- gagement, without decisive results, was sustained, Battery L suffering a loss of but one man wounded. Moving to Loudon the army was ordered into winter quarters, which were, however, disturbed three days later by the advance of the rebel army. Meanwhile the time of the men's enlistment had expired, and the battery re-enlisted in-the veteran corps as an independent organization of light artillery. Longstreet's advance drove them back to Knoxville, in a series of sharp encounters, during which the battery was almost constantly engaged, and Captain Roemer was on horseback five successive days and nights without sleep. Hotly pressed by the foe, the Union forces had but little time to prepare for the defense of Knoxville before the rebel batteries commenced the bombardment. Completely exhausted by the severe struggles of the last five days, when the streets of that city were reached and the order to halt was given the troops l.iy down in the ranks and slept two hours. They were then awakened and the meagre force employed to the best advantage to protect the important stronghold against the attack of four times their number, composed of the flower of the rebel army, flushed with victory and headed by their most popular and bravest leader. Bat- tery L took position on East Tennessee College Hill, overlooking a redoubt, afterward named Fort Sanders. For twelve days the siege was continued, with famine staring the men in the face — only one-fourth of a pound of bread being given to each man. Five thousand horses and mules were driven out of the city and abandoned, and to the rest three or four ears of corn apiece were doled out daily. Charges and counter charges filled the history of the working hours of that eventful fortnight, until 5 o'clock on the morning of the 29th of November, when, under the starlight, a picked body of volunteers^ 5,000 strong, led by their favorite commander-in- chief, Longstreet, moved to the storming of Fort Sanders, the key of the defense. Only a few hun- dred strong, the half starved defenders were, however, led by men whose courage never flinched, and whose en- thusiasm was contagious. Captain Roemer had been ordered to send one section of his battery under Lieu- tenant Heasely to the fort, and to furnish fifty rounds of shrapnel with twenty-second fuses to be thrown by hand into the trenches at points which the guns of his battery did not command. The charge was gallantly made, and desperately resisted. Once the rebel flag was planted on the rampart, but an instant after it fell, with its bearer a corpse, to the trenches. The gun at which Captain Roemer was stationed fired twenty-seven rounds of double canister, at every flash mowing a wide swath through the advancing column. It was loaded with its last remaining charge as onward through the storm of fire came the reckless, maddened foe. They swarmed up through the trenches, and a rebel major,' laying his hand on the muz- zle of the piece, shouted: " Cease firing, the gun is ours!" At that instant a white puff of smoke, a blinding flash, and the officer and fourteen files of men fell to rise no more. Terror stricken, seven hundred rebels threw down their arms, and entered the porthole as prisoners of war. The charge was over, the glory of the rebel army lay dead, dying and prisoners; and the cheers of the defenders of Knoxville were heard by Sherman's ad- vance forces, who came in sight that day. The siege was over; Longstreet was pressing every nerve to with- draw his shattered army to a safe distance from the ap- proaching Union army. The best of the rebel guns had been trained on the single piece of light artillery that had contributed so signally to the victory; and yet but two men were wounded in Battery L. The gallant captain stood wearily leaning against his sword when General Burnside rode up. " Good morning, captain." " Good morning, general." " Captain, what made your shells explode so this morning ?" " Oh, gene- THE FLUSHING BATTERY. 12 3 ral, how should I know ?" " What did you tell the ser- geant list night ? " " Don't remember, general ; I said much it were best to forget." " Well, I remember, and am proud of it. Captain Roemer and his battery will not be forgotten." This conversation had this source : On the night before the attack it was found that but little available ammunition, except some shells that had been buried by the rebels and dug up by our forces, could be found ; and that these had corroded, so that but few ex- ploded. Captain Roemer called for a volunteer to as- sist him in boring out the fuses of these shells — a work fraught with great danger. Sergeant Kauffmun, of the 46th N. Y., immediately consented to help, saying that if the captain could afford to risk his life he could. Tak- ing their ammunition box they crept close under the shelter of the ramparts to avoid the chance of a flying shot, and were busily engaged when a shell from a rebel battery struck the rampart and exploded, covering them with dirt and destroying the ammunition box, containing twelve shells, which, fortunately for the garrison, did not explode. The sergeant mildly remonstrated : — " Cap- tain, if you keep on you'll blow us all up." " Never mind," said the captain. " Better be blown up here than go to Richmond." "All right, captain, just as you say," was the only response ; and the duty of filling the shells for their terrible morning work was grimly resumed. It was this incident of coolness and self sacrifice that had reached the ear of the commanding general. With such officers the defense of Knoxville was possible; without them no troops could have resisted the accumulated hor- rors of the situation. But little time was spared for rest ; for on the 2nd the troops were marched in pursuit of Longstreet, as far as Strawberry Plains and Church Mountain, and encamping at the foot of the mountain lay there until January 19th, when the long-hoped-for veteran furlough order was re- ceived, and the battery was ordered to Albany for review and assignment of title by the governor of New York. Arriving in that city February 9th, under command of Captain Roemer and Lieut.. Heasely (Lieut. Rowelle hav- ing previously been detached for duty on the staff of General Sturges), they were reviewed by Governor Mor- gan on the 10th, and given the name of the "34th N. Y. independent battery light artillery;" and on the 10th they filed into Flushing, sixty-nine men and two officers, amid the cheers of their admiring townspeople. Here a grand reception awaited them. Grave clergymen, judges and lawyers took off their coats and served as waiters at the table filled with the tanned and battered artillerymen ; while the silks and laces of Flushing's lovely daughters fluttered wondrously close to the faded coats of blue, whose occupants found it a glorious rest after having traveled 9,600 miles in " Burnside's Caravan " to no softer music than the boom of cannon. Thirty days' rest was to be given to all; but the gallant captain, knowing the need of artillerists, resolved to fill up his ranks, and immediately commenced the work of recruiting, which was successful in enlisting eighty-five new men. No sooner was this work completed than the furlough expired, and the 34th was ordered to Fort Schuyler, whence it was transferred to an ocean steamer, having on board 700 more recruits, who were put under Captain Roemer's orders, and the transport sailed for Fortress Monroe, from whence they joined the reorgan- ized 9th corps at Annapolis. On the 4th of May the army crossed the Rapidan, and fighting with Lee's army was renewed the following day, the battery being en- gaged on the left in a dense wood, with no loss. From the 8th to the 10th occurred the march to.Spottsylvania, and on the nth the battery crossed the creek and en- gaged the enemy, falling back at night to its quarters. The battle cf Spottsylvania Court-House occurred on the following day, and the 12th of May is marked in the an- nals of the battery as the hottest of its many engagements. Stationed on the extreme left at Dr. Beverly's house, it repelled the constant efforts of the enemy to turn that flank and withstood repeated charges, its well trained guns firing seven rounds per minute some of the time and throwing in all r,8oo rounds of shell, doing terrible execution, the 34th sustaining a loss of five men wounded, including the captain, who had as yet scarcely recovered from his wounds received in the west, and who, his repu- tation as an artillerist having gained him a soubriquet among the rebels more forcible than polite, was a special mark for their sharpshooters. To the tent of the wounded captain came the bars of a major, forestalling a commission, which will be for gen- erations to come a source of pride to his descendants, reading, " Promoted for meritorious services rendered on the field of battle, and particularly on the 12th of May 1864." The honor was justly earned; the battery held, as it were, the key to the position, and had it been taken or flanked the consequences would have been serious. From that time through that terrible forty-five days in which Grant opened the road to Petersburg the battery was engaged almost daily, losing at Cold Harbor one man killed before crossing the river, another afterward and two wounded, and having twelve horses shot. On the 16th of June the siege of Petersburg was undertaken, and this battery built Fort Wilcox in front of the " cra- ter," and held it seven weeks, during which seven men were wounded. In August the 34th was sent to the left, where several engagements occurred, the most severe of which was at Pegram's Farm, where the 34th bat- tery lost three killed, four wounded and had six horses killed. During a change of line soon after, the battery was again placed in front of Petersburg, and owing to the exhausted condition of the men and horses was sent to the rear for two months. In November it advanced and took position on Crow Nest, where a winter of watchful- ness but comparative rest was passed. On the 25th of March Major Roemer was ordered to occupy Fort McGilvery, near Appomattox. In the small hours of the ensuing morning the rebels surprised and captured Fort Stedman, situated immediately to the left, and under cover of its guns attempted to storm Fort McGilvery in the rear. Loading three guns of his light battery, and placing one en barbette in the rear of the fort, under the -Attmti, THE PRINCE FAMILY. 127 married a Montrose. Neither Robert, Elizabeth nor Susannah left children, so far as is known. Samuel Prince, who was born May 20th 1728, married Ruth Carman April 24th 175 1, and had nine children, named respectively Robert, Elizabeth, James, Mary, Samuel 1st, Samuel 2nd, Elizabeth 2nd, Margaret and Susannah. Prince street in New York city was named from this Samuel Prince, who had a considerable tract of land there. From Robert is descended the Wintringham family of Long Island; from Mary, the Winter family; and Samuel (2nd) has very many descendants, named Prince, Wat- rous, Bass, McKeen, etc. William Prince who was the immediate ancestor of the present Flushing family mar- ried Ann Thome, and lived until January 1802; having had thirteen children, of whom nine died young. Those who arrived at maturity were John, Sarah. William and Benjamin. John Prince moved from Flushing to Prince- town, near Schenectady, where he had large flour mills. He was a member of the Legislature in j 797 and 1798, and died without issue, October 1802. Sarah married Major Charles McNeill, who resigned from. the British army after the Revolution, and had seven sons, who are the progenitors of the McNeill families of Long Island, Washington and elsewhere. Benjamin married Rebecca Willets, and had two children, Anna and Rebecca. Anna married Charles Townsend and had one son, now deceased. Rebecca married Effingham W. Lawrence and had three children, William Henry, Francis and Frederick A. Francis was the rector of the Church of the Holy Communion, New York, at the time of his death, in 1879. William Prince born November 10th 1766 married Mary, daughter of Eliphalet Stratton, December 22nd 1794, and died April 9th 1842. His children were: William Robert, born November 6th 1795; Mary Ann, born August 5th 1797; Alfred Stratton, and Edwin, the last of whom died young. Mary Ann (still living — 188 1) married Thomas H. Mitchell, of Richmond, Virginia, by whom she had two daughters, Rosalie A. and Josephine H.; and afterward married J. Dayton Harris, of New York. Alfred S. married Hannah Smith, and had two sons, Linnaeus and Charles A. William R. Prince married Charlotte G., daughter of Governor Charles Collins, of Rhode Island, October 2nd 1826, and died March 28th 1869, having had four children — Charlotte Collins, Sera- phine Collins, William, and L. Bradford, all of whom sur- vived him. Charlotte C. married Edwin Henry, March 10th 1853, and lives at Flushing, having three children — Florence L„ Anna C. and Cornelia C. Florence married Wilson L. Gill, of Columbus, Ohio, in 1880. Seraphine C. married Henry F. Cox, of Racine, Wis., January 10th 1857, and died childless in 1S70. William, born July 9th 1833, died December 1 8th 1880, unmarried. L. Bradford, born July 3d 1840. is spoken of in a separate sketch. Samuel Prince the elder lived on Great Neck, a little west of the church; and his brother Robert lived in Flushing. Samuel is named as a witness on the trial of Edward King for the murder of William Smith in 1733. The first establishment of the nursery which afterward became so famous was by Samuel Prince at Great Neck, about 1725; but it must soon have been followed by the nursery at Flushing, which continued during five genera- tions and over 130 years in the family. Robert Prince and his son William occupied the land south of Bridge street, extending from Lawrence street to the middle of the block between Prince and Main streets, and on the south about to the Reformed Dutch church, the family mansion being on Lawrence street, just northeast of the "Effingham Lawrence" house. The old mansion, which was of rounded shingles, re- mained until about 1863, when it was taken down. It was at this house that the Duke of Clarence, after- ward King William IV. of England, was received when he visited the town, and here also General Washington and his distinguished party were entertained in 1789. In Washington's journal (1789, October 10th) he speaks of this visit as follows: "I set off from New York about 9 o'clock, in my barge, to visit Mr. Prince's fruit gardens and shrubberies at Flushing. The vice-president, gover- nor, Mr. Izard, Colonel Smith' and Major Jacobs accom- panied me." It was at this house also that the bust of Linnasus was crowned by De Witt Clinton at the celebrated meeting of foreign and American scientists in J 823. In 1793, June 26th, William Prince the second (1766- 1842) purchased from Bayard, Le Roy and Clarkson the property on the north of Bridge street, containing So acres, lying between the present railroad on the west and Farrington street on the east, and established his nursery there, calling it the " Linncean Nursery," while his brother Benjamin remained on the old homestead and called his establishment the " Old American Nursery." Ultimately they were again consolidated. The residence of William Prince was on the north side of Bridge street, just where Linnaeus street now is. This William Prince was a man of great energy of character, excellent judgment and much kindness of heart. In the language of Mandeville's History of Flushing, he "was of an enterprising, amiable and kindly character, universally esteemed in life and regretted in death." He may truly be called the father of the pros- perity of Flushing. Before his time the route to New York had been by Jamaica or the Head of the Vleigh to Bedford, and thence to Brooklyn ferry, a distance of 17 to 20 miles. In 1799 Mr. Prince organized a company, of which he was president, to build a bridge over Flushing Creek; this was accomplished in the next year. Soon after this, by his exertions, aided by Joshua Sands and others of Brooklyn, a brid ge across the Wallabout was built, greatly shortening the route to the New York ferry. The amount of labor in accomplishing these matters was very great. In the work of getting a turnpike con- 17 128 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. structed from Flushing to Newtown, which was shortly afterward accomplished, he counted that he had traveled over a thousand miles. Mr. Prince was a zealous churchman, being con- firmed at the first episcopal visitation ever made to the village, by Bishop Provoost, June 28th 1802. He was a vestryman of St. George's Church as early as 1798, and was a member of the vestry thirty-two years, during fourteen of which he was warden. He was devoted to botany and natural science gener- ally ; was a corresponding member of the Linnaean Society of Paris, the horticultural societies of London and Paris, and the Imperial Society of Georgofili, at Florence, and the author of the " Treatise on Horticul- ture," published in 1828. His son William R. Prince inherited his father's love of botany and his great energy. He was connected with the American Institute, National Pomological Society, and many other leading societies, in whose transactions he took a prominent part; was the author of the " Treat- ise on the Vine," 1830, the " Pomological Manual," 1832, and " Rose Manual," 1835, and in his later days re- ceived the degrees of M. D. and LL. D. After his marriage he buught (July 8th 1827) the Em- bree property, corner of Bridge street and Clinton (now Lawrence) avenue, where he continued to live until his death, and which is still the family residence. Although never holding any public office he was en- thusiastic in politics, especially as a friend of Henry Clay. In 1848 he was a member of the national conven- tion at Harrisburg, which ultimately nominated General Taylor, going as a Clay delegate. In 1831 he delivered the 4th of July oration at Hempstead. William Prince the son of William R. Prince was a man of extraordinary scientific attainments. He entered the army as a private at the breaking out of the Rebel- lion, and served till wounded at Antietam. Subsequently he became an officer in the 155th N. Y. (volunteers), and soon afterward was appointed a lieutenant of ordnance, U. S. A., passing a most brilliant examination on his ad- mission to the corps in 1864. He was twice brevetted for "gallant and distinguished services;" became suc- cessively first lieutenant and captain, and died at Wash- ington in 1880. During his service he was chief ordnance officer of the middle military district (Va.), of North and South Carolina, and on duty at the arsenals of Water- vliet, Washington, Frankford, New Orleans and Spring- field. L. BRADFORD PRINCE. L. Bradford Prince was born at Flushing, on the 3d of July 1840. He is a lineal descendant on the maternal side of Governor William Bradford, of Plymouth, one of the " men of the Mayflower," and had for great-grand- father and grandfather respectively Governors Bradford and Collins of Rhode Island. His paternal ancestors are mentioned in the sketch of the " Prince Family." Owing to the delicate health of Mr. Prince much of his early life was passed in the south. As he grew to manhood he engaged in horticultural pursuits at his father's place, in Flushing, but after a short experience abandoned this line of employment to study law. Enter- ing Columbia College law school, he passed through the course with special honor, and upon graduating received the $200 prize in political science. From his youth he has been exceedingly active in all matters affecting the welfare and improvement of his native town. In 1858 he originated the Flushing Library Association, obtaining the first subscriptions, drawing its constitution, acting three years as secretary and afterward as president; for several years he was chairman of the village lecture committee, conducting courses of lectures in 1859, i860 and i86t, which have never since been equaled in the town. For five successive years, 1861 to 1865, he was chairman of the "Fourth of July commit- tee," which had charge of the public exercises and dis- plays on the national holiday. In 1863 this committee erected the liberty pole at the west end of the park, and in 1865 inaugurated the movement for the building of the " soldiers' monument." To this latter Mr. Prince devoted himself for over a year, in raising money and collecting the names of the fallen heroes. He was* also the originator of St. George's Brotherhood, a religious society, organized in 1868 and still doing an active and increasing work. On many public occasions, such as the foundation of the new public school, the opening of the opera house, the celebration at the introduction of water, etc., he has delivered appropriate public addresses. Very early in life he developed an extraordinary apti- tude for political matters, and the activity he displayed in his district during the Fremont campaign won for him a vote of thanks from the town club, of which his age — he was then but a lad of sixteen — prevented his becoming a member. In the canvass of i860, though still a minor, he was secretary of the local political organization, and worked enthusiastically for the success of the Lincoln ticket. In 1861 he was chosen a member of the Repub- lican committee of Queens county, on which he served continuously almost 20 years, during several of which he was its secretary and chairman. He was a delegate to State conventions during the years from 1866 to 1878 with scarcely an exception; was elected a delegate to the national Republican convention held at Chicago in 1868, and the following year became a member of the State committee. The political labors of Mr. Prince at this period were all the more honorable from the fact that they were pursued purely as a matter of principle, and without the least expectation of personal advance- ment, the district in which he resided being strongly Democratic. His qualifications for filling a responsible position were, however, too apparent to be neglected, and in 1870 he was elected to the Assembly, receiving a majority of 1,415 votes, members of all parties joining in his support. In 1871 he was re-elected to the Assembly by a large majority, although his opponent was the strongest Democrat in the district and an experienced legislator, who had already served both in the Assembly and in the Senate. HON. L. BRADFORD PRINCE. 129 The following year he received the extraordinary com- pliment of a request for his continuance in office, signed by more than two thousand voters, irrespective of party; and, having been nominated by acclamation, was re-elected without opposition. In 1873, having declined a nomination to the Senate, he was again returned to the Assembly, almost without an opposing vote. In the fall of 1874 the Democrats made a determined effort to redeem the district, which now for four years had been lost to their party, and placed the Hon. Solomon Town- send — who had served three terms in the Legislature and in the constitutional conventions of 1846 and 1867 — in opposition to Mr. Prince. The canvass was an exciting one, but resulted in a victory for Mr. Prince, who se- cured a majority of 771 votes. There is believed to be no other instance on record of a person being elected five successive times in a district politically opposed to him. In the canvass of 1875 Mr. Prince received the Republican nomination for the Senate, and, although the Democrats were successful. in the district on the general ticket by nearly 2,700 majority, he won the election by a majority of 904, running 3,594 ahead of the ticket. The legislative career of Mr. Prince was an exceedingly useful and highly honorable one. In 1872, 1873 and 1874 he was chairman of the judiciary committee, per. forming the multifarious and arduous duties in the most creditable manner, and rendering valuable service to the State. While filling this position over eleven hundred bills came into his hands for reports — a larger number than were ever submitted to any other committee, either State or national, in a similar length of time. During the winter of 1872 it became his duty to conduct the investigation into the official conduct of Judges Barnard, Cardozo and McCunn. This investigation extended from the middle of February to about the middle of April, during which time 239 witnesses were examined, and over 2,400 pages of evidence taken. The thoroughness and fairness with which the investigation was conducted won the approval of fair-minded persons of all shades of political belief, and its results form one of the bright- est pages in the history of the recent " reform move- ment." The reports of the committee in favor of impeaching two of the judges and removing the other met with general public acquiescence, and were adopted by the house, and Mr. Prince was chosen one of the managers to conduct the impeachment trial, receiving 1 10 out of 113 votes cast on the ballot in the Assembly. He was also appointed to proceed to the bar of the Senate and formally impeach Judge Barnard of high crimes and misdemeanors. He was active in the matter till the close of the trial, and it has been generally conceded that to no other man is the judiciary of the State so much indebted for being relieved of the disgrace that would have attended the retention of Barnard and Cardozo on the bench. The recent amendments to the constitution of the State received from Mr. Prince special attention. In 1872 he introduced, and succeeded in getting passed, the bill for the constitutional commission. During the ses- sions of 1873 and 1874 he had charge of the proposed amendments, both in committee and in the Assembly, and the task of explaining and defending them fell almost exclusively to his lot. Just previous to these amendments being submitted to the people for ratification — in the fall of 1874 — Mr. Prince, at the request of the Council of Political Reform, wrote a pamphlet on the subject, which was widely circulated as a campaign document, and tended largely to their success at the polls. In the session of 1875 he prepared and introduced nearly all the bills required to carry the new constitu- tional system into effect, that work being assigned to him by general consent, although the Assembly was Dem- ocratic. The reformation in the system of legislation in New York occurred wholly during Mr. Prince's terms, and its history is worthy of record, if only to show the results of persistent effort. During his first month in Albany Mr. Prince introduced two resolutions, one in relation to the organization of cities under general laws, and the other including the whole question of special legislation. On this latter he made a careful speech in February 187 1., but the proposition to do away with special legisla- tion was met with opposition and almost derision by all the old and leading members. In no way discouraged, he renewed the fight next year, made a striking speech on the " Evils of Hasty Legislation " in February, and later, as chairman of the judiciary committee, presented a report on " Reform in the Methods of Legislation," which has been the foundation of all action on the sub- ject since. At the same time he introduced a bill for a constitutional commission to report the necessary amend- ments. The next winter he succeeded in getting the commission to report in favor of his propositions to pro- hibit special legislation; and, as we have before seen, championed these amendments for two years in the As- sembly, and then before the people. In November 1874 he had the pleasure of seeing all the reforms which he had first proposed in January 1871 placed in the organic law of the Siate — the fruit of nearly four years of steady and untiring effort. While in the Legislature Mr. Prince gave special at- tention to the canal system of the State, and the question of transportation from the west to the seaboard. He made several speeches on this subject in the Assembly, as well as at the organization of the Cheap Transporta- tion Association, at Cooper Institute in 1874, and at the great Produce Exchange meeting in 1875. The New York Chamber of Commerce twice formally acknowledged these services to the mercantile community by votes of thanks. In 1874 he was chairman of the Assembly com- mittee to conduct the United States Senate Committee on Transportation Routes through the State; and per- formed that duty in September of that year. At differ- ent times during 1874 and 1875 he lectured on this sub- ject of transportation in New York, Albany, Troy, Poughkeepsie, etc. In May 1876 Mr. Prince was a member of the national Republican convention which nominated Hayes and HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. Wheeler. In 1877, though tendered a unanimous re- nomination to the Senate, he declined to serve again, on the ground that he could not afford longer to neglect his private business. Mr. Prince's reputation is not, however, confined to the field of politics. As a lawyer he occupies a high position, his clear, incisive reasoning power and rare ability as an advocate rendering him eminently success- ful. In 1868 he was chosen orator of the alumni associ- ation of the Columbia College Law School, and for two years was president of the association. In 1876, hav- ing again been chosen alumni orator, he delivered an oration in the Academy of Music on "The Duties of Citizenship," enforcing the idea that men of character and education should take the lead in political affairs. Mr. Prince is well known also as a thoughtful writer and lecturer on various topics, among which those re- lating to legislative and governmental reform have at- tracted wide attention. His lecture on " Rienzi " has been delivered over 20 times; and a satirical one on "Queen Fashion " much oftener. A work from his pen entitled " E Pluribus Unum, or American Nationality," a comparison between the con- stitution and the articles of confederation, passed through several editions in 1868 and received the warmest com- mendations from statesmen and political scientists. In 1880 a Chicago firm published a work of Mr. Prince's on a somewhat similar subject, entitled " A Nation or a League ? " As a speaker he is well known throughout the State, having been active in the general political canvass every year when not himself a candidate, and in 1876 speak- ing over 40 consecutive nights, from Rochester and Salamanca to Plattsburg and Brooklyn. On occasions like the Fourth of July and Decoration day his talents have naturally been called into requisi- tion, and he has delivered the orations at various times at Brooklyn, Sag Harbor, Ronkonkoma, Hempstead, Flushing, Katonah, Farmingdale, Baliston, Oneonta, New Brighton and Elmira. He is also a prominent member of the Masonic fra- ternity, having been district deputy grand master of Queens and Suffolk counties for the years 1868, 1869 and 1870, and again in 1876. In 1877 he was appointed on the grand master's staff as grand standard bearer. He is now grand representative of New Mexico to the grand lodge of New York. Mr. Prince has always taken a lively interest in all that pertains to the best interests of the farming community, and has delivered a number of addresses before various agricultural societies through- out the State — notably those of Saratoga, St. Lawrence, Tioga, Orleans, Suffolk and Cattaraugus counties. For ten years he was superintendent or director of the Queens 'County Agricultural Society, and in 1862 wrote an agri- cultural history of the county, which was published by that society. He is also a life member of the Long Isl- and Historical Society, and for 15 years — from 1864 to 1879 — was an officer in that learned body. He is now first vice-president of the Historical Society of New Mexico. In religious affairs Mr. Prince is likewise prominent. He is a leading member of the Episcopal church, in which he has for years been a licensed lay- reader under the bishops of Long Island, Colorado and New Mexico. He has been a member of many diocesan conventions on Long Island, and was a deputy from that diocese to the Triennial General Convention at Boston in 1877 and again at New York in 1880. He is one of the corporation of the Cathedral of the Incarnation, on Long Island, and at the laying of the corner stone there- of, in June 1877, made the address on behalf of the laity of the diocese. In New Mexico he is senior warden of the church at Sante Fe, and chancellor of the jurisdiction of New Mexico and Arizona. In missionary matters he is very active, delivering addresses at various times in St. Peter's Church, Albany; Calvary, New York; St. Ann's and St. Peter's, Brooklyn; Grace, Jamaica; St. James's, New- town; Bethesda, Saratoga; St. George's, Hempstead; at the missionary conference of 1879 at Baltimore, etc. In the General Convention of 1880 he introduced the idea of the American Church Building Fund, and carried it to a successful organization. In September j S81 he delivered the address at the laying of the corner stone of the church in Sante Fe. In October 1878, without any application or request from him, Mr. Prince was nominated by President Hayes as naval officer of New York, in place of Hon. A. B. Cornell, at the same time Theodore Roosevelt was nominated as collector. This inaugurated the great con- test in the Senate over the " New York appointments," between the President's reform policy and the old system of senatorial dictation. No action being taken at the special session, President Hayes renominated Roosevelt and Prince in December. After a long contest the nominations were rejected by a vote of 31 to 25. During 1879 Mr. Prince was offered various appoint- ments, including two in foreign countries, the marshal- ship of New York, the governorship of Idaho, and the chief justiceship of New Mexico. The latter he declined three times, but finally, at the urgent request of Secretary Evarts and the Department ot Justice, consented to ac- cept, and left for his new home February 1st 1879. This position he still holds. Judge Prince is also presi- dent of the Territorial Bureau of Immigration of New Mexico, and is connected with nearly ail the organiza- tions of the territory. He is an enthusiast as to the resources and future of that tenitory, and has written much on those subjects for eastern papers. On the 1st of December 1879 Judge Prince was mar- ried at Grace Church, Brooklyn, by Bishop Littlejohn and Rev. Dr. Smith, to Haltie E. Childs, daughter ot Dr. S. Russell Childs, of New York. After being entertained by President Hayes in Washington they proceeded im- mediately to New Mexico, where Mrs. Prince's beauty and intelligence made her a favorite at once. But, on an excursion to Kansas City to celebrate the opening of railway communication, she caught cold, and after a sin- gle day of serious sickness died suddenly of pneumonia, at Sante Fe, on February 26th 1880. The mourning and sympathy at this sad event were universal through- out the territory. CAPT. I. J. MERRITT. CAPTAIN ISRAEL J. MERRITT. There are few people, in the mercantile marine of this State especially, who will fail to recognize in the accom- paying portrait an old and valued acquaintance. For more than a quarter of a century Captain Merritt has been actively engaged in maritime pursuits, and, after passing through the various grades of apprentice, seaman, mate and captain, was appointed in 1853 agent of the Board of Marine Underwriters, graduated as general agent of that world-renowned and eminently successful institution the Coast Wrecking Company of the City of New York, and at present, in connection with his son Israel J. Merritt jr., is proprietor of the Merritt Wrecking Organization, of which he is sole manager. Captain Merritt is of medium height, compactly built, has a florid complexion, light hazel eyes, iron grey hair, and was born in the city of New York, August 23d 1829. As with very many of our most successful men, his oppor- tunities for obtaining an early education were exceed- ingly limited; yet, endowed with ambition and a strong will, combined with good, sound, practical common sense, we find him at the early age of twenty years in the full confidence of his employers and in command of a fine schooner employed in the coasting trade. In the service of the Coast Wrecking Company he, by his skill, energy and earnest efforts, added largely to its reputation. In the performance of his labors and duties as its representative he has visited repeatedly all sections of our seacoast and lake borders, and, being eminently a social and genial man, he has made hosts of warm friends both for his enterprises and himself. One of Captain's Merritt's prominent characteristics is his per- severence, backed by untiring patience, pluck and energy. He knows no such word as fear, never counts the chances of defeat when pursuing a cherished object, and, once settled in his convictions of duty and right, he never was known to shirk a responsibility or flag in his 'efforts to accomplish the desired results. He is zealous and posi- tive in whatever he undertakes, is a most agreeable, warm-hearted and genial companion, one of the truest of friends, and as such is honored and trusted by all who know him. He is modest and retiring when not in com- mand, and aside from his social and domestic duties his heart is bound up in his business. To-day, wherever commerce spreads her wings and the Latin and Anglo-Saxon tongues are spoken, the name of Israel J. Merritt, the savior of the doubly-staunch steamer " L'Amerique," is a "household word." For three long weary months, through sunshine and darkness, the hearts of his friends and the good wishes of the entire civilized world were with him in this gigantic undertaking, and they watched with curious interest his bearing through all the discouragements and embarass- ments of his trying position; and when success, in its broadest sense, crowned his efforts and he gave back to commerce the good ship, as staunch, strong and shapely as when she first touched our shores, the world was ready to shake his brawny hand and say how heartily it ac- corded to him its praise. In this connection it will not be deemed inappropriate to give some of the more notable cases in which Captain Merritt's brain, skill and labor have been the means of saving hundreds of lives and millions of dollars of prop- erty on our coast. Among his achievements may be noted the saving of the ship " Cornelius Grinnell," ashore at Squan, in 1852; the crew of the brig "Kong Thryme," on Barnegat Shoals, in midwinter of 1856, for which he was awarded a gold medal by the Life Saving Benevolent Association of New York; the ship "Great Republic,' 7 3,000 tons, sunk in the East River, in 1853; the passengers and crew of the ship "Chauncey Jerome," at Long Branch, in 1853; the ship "Arkwright," at Long Branch, in 1862; the ship "Aquila," having as cargo the U.S. monitor " Comanche," near San Fran- cisco, Cal., in 1864; the crew, 65 in number, of the steamship "Black Warrior," at Rockaway Shoals, in 1859, for which act of bravery he was presented with $500 in gold; the steamer " City of Norwich," sunk and lying bottom upwards in 120 feet of water in Long Island Soand, in 1866 (no other vessel ever having been raised from so great a depth); the steamer " Dean Rich- mond," sunk in 38 feet of water in the Hudson river, in 1867, and the steamship "Australia," ashore near Galves- ton, Texas, in 1875. Scores and hundreds of other inci- dents might be mentioned, where his labors have been be- stowed, but the above are sufficient to show that his has been a busy and eventful career, and that his efforts have been crowned with a full measure of success. 18 132 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. To these let us add some account of the crowning effort of his life, the salvation of the steamship " L'Ame- rique," his greatest achievement. This vessel, one of the largest of the steamers belonging to the Trans- Atlantic Line between New York and Havre, as all will remember, was driven ashore at Seabright, N. J., about twelve miles from Sandy Hook, during a violent snow storm, on the night of the 7th of January 1877, where she remained imbedded in the sand until liberated by Captain Merritt on the 10th of the following April. 1) uring this entire period of ninety-three days he was constantly at his post on this ship, awaiting favoring winds and tides, yet with unbounded faith and confi- dence in the ultimate success of his labors. In the early part of this interval the entire cargo of the ship, valued at an immense figure, was saved without damage, and transferred to New York. In the meantime the requisite preparations for the saving of the vessel had been made, and machinery and appliances such as were probably never before brought into requisition were readily fur- nished and utilized by the Coast Wrecking Company under the direction of Captain Merritt. The necessity of these extraordinary preparations will be readily seen and comprehended when it is remembered that " L'Amer- ique"is an iron steamer of 4,845 tons capacity, 1,000 horse power, 410 feet in length, 46 feet breadth of beam, and 43 feet depth of hold, equal in bulk almost to two blocks of ordinary three-story buildings. The needed appliances for moving this immense mass of iron being properly adjusted, then began the weary watching from day to day, till days grew into weeks, and weeks lengthened into months, and still the elements seemed laggard in coming to the aid of the sun-browned, weather-beaten man who earnestly watched and waited through calm and storm, upon her decks, for the oppor- tune moment. Storms and tempests came which forced him to slacken his huge, unwieldy hawsers and let the ship be driven still farther upon the beach, and which, in their fury, dashed in pieces other ships within his sight; and still the good " L'Amerique," like a rock of adamant, withstood the shocks of old Atlantic's mountain billows, as they came thundering and dashing against her sides; yet not one whit firmer stood the ship on the unfriendly shore than stood Captain Merritt, braving the dangers which encompassed him, in the calm confidence of ulti- mate triumph. Storm succeeded storm, yet with firm reliance he paced the decks of the grand old ship which, like himself, seemed to defy the elements, and waited, not patiently perhaps at all times, but confidently. At last came the eventful day when Old Ocean, as if repenting of his laggard efforts, sent bounding in upon the yielding sands of Seabright the long-prayed-for rol- lers, which, born perhaps near the sunny shores of the land which gave birth to the good ship and Captain Pouzolz, her brave and noble commander, began to surge upon the shore and rock the huge monster in the "cradle of the deep;" and ere his hoarse murmurings had ceased she shook the sands of old Jersey from her keel, was rid- ing safely at anchor far from the shore, and the waves were kissing her sides as if to welcome her once more upon the broad pathway to la belle France. Loud huzzas from the throats of the victors rent the air, and long and joyous shouts of Vive L'Amerique and " Le Merritt" mingled with the hoarse bellowings of the wind and the shrill whistles of the tugs as they bore her triumphantly from her prison. " L'Amerique" was free! Politically Captain Merritt has always been a Demo- crat and a consistent, liberal and disinterested worker for the advancement of the principles of that party; but he has never sought nor accepted a nomination for any office except at the hands of his townsmen, who have ever found in him a firm supporter of the best interests of the locality where he lives. He was instrumental in securing the incorporation of the village of Whitestone, and has most of the time since served as one of the village trus- tees. His interest in education has always been great, and he has for years been a school trustee and exerted a strong influence upon the minagement of the public schools of Whitestone. In 1853 Captain Merritt was married to Miss Sarah L. Nicholson, of New York, who died June nth 1879, at the age of 45 years, 4 months and 2 days. He has six children living, named as follows, in the order of their birth: Israel J. jr., Emma, Irene, Ida, Flora and John J- Captain Merritt, who for twenty-one years has been a resident of Whitestone, has one of the most elegant resi- dences on Long Island and is regarded as a most hos- pitable gentleman. HON. JOHN W. LAWRENCE. Few names are better known in Queens county than that of the subject of this sketch, who is one of the most prominent men the county has produced, and a descend- ant of one of its oldest and most illustrious families. Born at "Willow Bank," Flushing, in 1800, Mr. Lawrence yet lives on the old home place, though the house in which he was born was destroyed by fire and the present commodious residence on the old site was erected by Mr. Lawrence in 1835. The childhood of Mr. Lawrence was passed much as that of others of the time and locality was passed. He may be truly said never to have known any boyhood, having engaged in active business life at the early age of sixteen, as a clerk in the long-ago mercantile establishment of Hicks, Jenkins & Co., in which capacity he continued till 1821. Then, Mr. Jenkins having died, Mr. Hicks made a proposition to take young Lawrence into the firm, which the latter declined, entering instead into partnership with a fellow clerk in the shipping and commission business, under the firm name of Hovvland & Lawrence. In 1826 Mr. Lawrence was married to a daughter of Walter Bowne, of another old-time family of Long Island. A mention of several of the more prominent of the business enterprises with which Mr. Lawrence has been connected will not be out of place as an evidence of the high esteem in which he has for many years been held in HON. J. W. LAWRENCE. — A. It. P. DENNETT. i35 business and financial circles, both on Long Island and in New York city. Mr. Lawrence's fifteen years' presi- dency of the Queens County Savings Bank, of which he is now a trustee, and his presidency for seven years of the Seventh Ward Bank of New York, of which he is now the oldest director, are features of a connection with monetary institutions which goes back to a time when he was a director in the New York branch of the United States Bank in the stormy financial period of President Jackson. For a third of a century he has been president of the Lawrence Cement Company, and he holds a sim- ilar position at the head of the Rosedale Cement Company. By the admirable manner in which he has transacted all business devolving upon him, in these and many other enterprises of note, and the fidelity with which he has discharged all trusts imposed upon him, during a long and active business career, Mr. Lawrence has won an enviable reputation, which will survive him and be a shining example to these who may come after him. In public and political life Mr. Lawrence has won and re- tained a name rivaled only by his reputation as a man of affairs. During the extended period of fifteen years he was president of the village of Flushing, and upon his resignation of that position the board of trustees waited on him in a body at his residence and requested that he would become a candidate for re-election. In 1840 he was nominated for member of Assembly from his dis- trict, his rival in the field being no less formidable an one than John A. King, whom he defeated. This was the "Log Cabin and Hard Cider " campaign, and the ex- citement over the election ran pretty high. On the night upon which the result became known a considerable body of the strongest and most active Whigs in Flushing went to his house, accompanied by a band of music, at n o'clock and tendered him a serenade; and informed him through the spokesman of the occasion that, as they had opposed him on political grounds only, they had now come to congratulate him as a townsman on the success which he had achieved at the polls. In 1845 Mr. Law- rence was sent to Congress by the vote of his fellow cit- izens, and upon the expiration of his term was offered a renomination; which he declined to accept, though he could not but regard the act as an evidence of the con- fidence with which he had inspired those whom he had so ably represented in the council of the nation. Later he was tendered the nomination for the office of lieutenant- governor ot the State of New York. This was at a time when he had retired permanently from the cares and re- sponsibilities of political life; and, with the desire for quiet and rest which all men feel as years advance upon them, he could not be prevailed upon to allow the use of his name in the manner requested, though urged to do so by some of the foremost men in his party on the ground of the strength it would lend to the ticket. In private and public life, alike, Mr. Lawrence has ever held the highest esteem of all his associates and the respect of all, of all classes and parties, who were cogni- zant of his course. In Flushing, where he is best and most intimately known, he is regarded as the friend of those in need of sympathy and assistance, and the abettor of every measure tending to the public good and the public improvement. ALBION K. P. DENNETT. The subject of this sketch is one of the best known and most prominent citizens and business men of Flush- ing. He was born in Lyman, York county, Maine, Au- gust 9th 1827, and was named in honor of Governor Albion K. Paris, of Maine. His parents were Jesse and Abigail (Hooper) Dennett. His grandfather Joseph Dennett was in the patriot service during the entire period of the Revolution. Mr. Dennett removed with his father's family to the town of Dayton, adjoining the town of his birth, when he was about twelve years old. He received his education in the common schools of that locality, and resided on his father's farm until the age of twenty-two, when he went to New York city, in 1849, and entered the employ of the Knickerbocker Ice Company, with whom he re- mained until April 1853, when he embarked in the ice trade in New York on his own account, remaining there until April 1868, when he removed to Flushing, where he has been since extensively and successfully engaged in the same trade, his office, at 18^2 Main street, being one of the most noticeable business places on that street. December 22nd 1853 Mr. Dennett was married to Jane M. Smith, of New York, originally of Rensselaer county, by whom he has a daughter, Emma Grace, now the wife of W. T. James, of the Flushing drug firm of Hepburn & James. With his entire family Mr. Dennett is a member of the First Baptist Church of Flushing. Mr. Dennett cast his first vote with the Whigs, and since the organization of the Republican party he has been a firm believer in its principles, and has voted with it undeviatingly since the Fremont campaign of 1856. He has never been in the common acceptation of the 136 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. term a politician, though ever alive to the important de- mands of the hour. Engrossed in his business affairs, he has never sought political preferment, but at the demand of his fellow citizens has from time to time accepted im- portant public trusts at their hands. He was elected a trustee of the village of Flushing in the winter of 1 87 1 , to fill a vacancy then existing in the board, by the vote of that body, and so satisfactory to the people of the vil- lage was his conduct during his term of service that he was four times thereafter nominated and elected to the same position against his wish and protest, but positively refused to qualify and serve the last time. In the spring of 1879 he was, in opposition to his own strongly ex- pressed desire, nominated and elected to the position of supervisor of the town of Flushing, and re-elected in 1880. In 1858 Mr. Dennett joined Company B of the 12th regiment of New York State militia, of New York city, as a private and was elected orderly sergeant about a month later, serving in that capacity till April 21st 1861, when he was made second lieutenant, while the regiment was formed in Union Square, just prior to its departure for the seat of war in response to the demand of the government for three months' men. After the expiration of its term of service the regiment returned to New York, and in 1862 was re-organized, and Mr. Dennett was elected second and subsequently first lieutenant of Com- pany D. Later he was several times offered but as often declined the captaincy of the company. Mr. Dennett is emphatically one of the self-made men of Queens county. Early in life he set out to make his way in the world by his own unaided exertions, and how successful he has been his present enviable position at- tests. A man of fine presence and genial and kindly ad- dress he has won and retains many friends, who speak highly of him as a man and a citizen in all relations of life. BENJAMIN W. DOWNING. Benjamin W. Downing was born at Glen Head, Long Island, on the first day of April 1835. His ancestry on one side was of Quaker stock, and members of the family on the paternal side had for many years had their home on Long Island. The subject of this sketch received his preliminary education at the public schools, but at an early age he entered Macedon Academy, at Macedon, Wayne county, in this State, where he completed a sound practical education, holding a high position in all of the various academic classes. Returning to his home on Long Island, Mr. Downing commenced the practical duties of life as a teacher, devoting a number of years to this arduous work. His longest term of service in this capacity was at Locust Valley, where he brought the public school at that place into great and deserved prominence by the introduction of new and valuable methods of instruction. It was while in charge of this school, in 1856, that he was elected to the office of superintendent of schools of the town of Oyster Bay; subsequently he was appointed school commissioner of all the schools in Queens county by the board of supervisors, and this promotion was fol- lowed by his election to the same office. Mr. Downing's administration of school affairs, continuing seven years and six months, was marked by great energy and the fullest success. The standard of the schools under his jurisdiction was greatly raised, and an impetus was given to the cause of popular education in the district that is even yet felt and realized. Meanwhile Mr. Downing had abandoned his old pro- fession of teaching, and had commenced the study of law in the office of the Hon. Elias J. Beach, county judge of Queers county. This season of law reading was supplemented by a severe course of study in the law school at Poughkecpsie, from which institution he gradu- ated with high honors, receiving the title of LL. B., and was duly admitted to practice in the supreme court of this State. He established his law office at Flushing, to which place he had removed his residence from Locust Valley, and at once commenced an active and successful professional career. Mr. Downing early won deserved distinction at the bar. His readiness in grasping the salient features of a case, his quick and correct application of the law to the facts, his faculty of building up upon the pivotal points involved, and the earnestness and force of his appeals to juries, made his professional services sought in every section of the county and in adjacent localities. In a short space of time he became recognized as the most able, adroit and effective practitioner at the bar of Queens county. Declining a re-election to a third term as school commissioner, Mr. Downing was elected in 1864 to succeed the Hon. John J. Armstrong as district attorney of Queens county, and he has since January 1st 1865 continuously held and more than acceptably dis- charged the duties of that exceedingly important and difficult position. The same qualities which gained for Mr. Downing his success as a teacher, school officer and private practitioner have made him eminently successful as a public prosecutor. Queens county especially de- mands a prompt, energetic and able man to fill at all acceptably the office of district attorney. With nothing but the narrow belt of the East River separating it from New York city, it is liable at all times to be overrun with desperadoes of the worst metropolitan type; and it is an exceedingly fortunate matter for the county that under the administration of its present district attorney Queens has established the reputation among the criminal classes of being an exceedingly unpleasant place for them to be tried in. During the incumbency of Mr. Downing he has prosecuted a large number of indictments, the trials of which rank among the causes celebres. We have space only for the enumeration of a very few of the more important of these cases. One was the trial and conviction of Lewis Jarvis and Elbert Jackson for the murder of Samuel Floyd Jones. The prisoners were subsequently executed for the offense in the old court-house yard in North Hempsted, this being DISTRICT ATTORNEY B. W. DOWNING. tne first execution that had occured for many years in Queens county. Mr. Downing prosecuted also the in- dictments against William Delanyfor the murder of Cap- tain L. Lawrence on the 27th of August 1875 on board a vessel lying at the time at anchor in Long Island Sound near Port Washington. Delany was also convicted by the jury and subsequently executed. Mr. Downing also prosecuted the indictments against David Burke for the murder of a night watchman at Long Island City. Burke was defended with great zeal and ability by the late elo- quent John H. Anthon, who when the jury rendered their verdict of guilty declared that he would never again de- fend a man indicted for a capital offense, and this dec- laration was always thereafter strictly adhered to. Burke was sentenced to death, but the sentence was sub- sequently commuted by the governor to imprisonment for life. Other remarkable trials were those of the mur- derers of Garrett Nostrand, at Syosett, and the murderer of little Maggie Bauer, of Hempstead, some few years ago; Mr. Downing securing conviction in all these cases. He was particularly active also in the detection and trial of the masked burglars of Ravenswood, and succeeded in bringing about the conviction and punishment of this entire gang of desperadoes, who were sentenced to State prison at hard labor for terms varying from twenty to thirty-five years. We have specified only a very few of the important trials Mr. Downing has conducted as pub- lic prosecutor during the last fifteen years. His conduct of the affairs of his office has been characterized not only by ability but by faithfulness. He has not neglected the prosecution of ordinary indictments in order to shine brilliantly in the trial of " star" cases, but every indict- ment charging the commission of a criminal offence when brought to trial by him recived the careful, con- scientious treatment of a trained and skillful prosecutor, and it was a matter of very rare occurrence that a guilty man escaped just punishment when Mr. Downing prose- cuted. Of the trial of Elwood T. Van Nostrand for se- duction under promise of marriage, which occupied the court of sessions for nearly three days in 1880, the Long Island City Star says: "The Hon. Judge Busteed addressed the jury on behall of the prisoner, finally closing his terrific denunciations at midnight. It had consumed six hours of intense ef- fort; with the penalty of utter prostration to the great advocate — to the extent of his not being able to appear during the remainder of the trial or of hearing the reply and summing up of Mr. Downing. The address to the jury from the district attorney occupied four and a half hours. He spoke with much feeling, and it is probable that he would have spared denunciation but for the goad- ing taunts heaped on the head of the crushed girl by Mr. Busteed. Mr. Downing felt too thoroughly the frightful harangue roared with phrenzied action against the artless girl, who quivered under every blow as if a culprit under the Russian knout; and it must be ad- mitted that he was more than equal in repayment to Mr. Busteed. He had a more manly cause to vindicate, and easily won the hearts of the thronged body that flocked to hear him." While, however, he is zealous and indefatigable as a prosecutor, he yet realizes that he is an officer of the court charged with the administration of even-handed justice. The innocent man unjustly accused is and always has been afforded every opportunity at the hands of the district attorney to make his innocence manifest, and Mr. Downing has been the first to move to nolle prosequi an indictment when satisfied as a man and an officer that the accused is not guilty of the offense charged against him. Mr. Downing has the rare ac- complishment of being a most excellent judge of char- acter and of human nature, and very much of the success he has met at the bar and as a public officer may be at- tributed to this fact. A large proportion of the cost of conducting the public affairs of Queens — as indeed of every county in the State- — comes from the expense of holding courts of criminal jurisdiction. It will be readily seen how far and to what extent a prompt, alert and vigorous district attorney can subserve the interests of taxpayers in curtailing the sessions of these courts by a proper discharge of his official duties. Mr. Downing has thus served the citizens of his county, and during his extended term of service he has made for himself the reputation of being among the first and most efficient public prosecutors in the State of New York. That his reputation as a lawyer and law officer has passed far be- yond the limits of his own county is shown by the fact that his name has been within the last few years and is now very prominently mentioned in connection with the supreme court judgeship of his judicial district. It might be readily supposed that the conduct of a large private law practice and the full discharge of the duties of a position so exacting as the district attorney- ship of a large and populous county would more than fill the time of any ordinary man. Mr. Downing has, how- ever, seemingly unlimited capacities for work. He is what the French call "a man of affairs," and, in addition to the work we have hastily specified, he has acted as trustee of his home village, served as its president, and has for many years been one of the members of its board of education, of which body he is now the presiding officer. He has always taken a deep interest in the local affairs of his village, and has contributed very largely to build up and develop its resources. He is yet in the prime of life, with vigorous health and a robust constitu- tion. t He is noted for his acts of quiet, unostentatious charity, is firm and loyal in his friendship and self- reliant and positive in character. While he has already left his impress upon the time and locality in which he has lived and labored, there if. every reason to suppose that the future has in store for him a wider fame and a still more honorable record. 140 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. THE NICOLL FAMILY. The Nicoll family, of which De Lancey Nicoll, Esq., of Bayside, is the eldest male representative in Queens county, is of very ancient origin. Its coat of arms, the original of which is in the possession of Samuel Benja- min Nicoll, Esq., of Shelter Island, was issued to John Nicoll, of Buckingham, near Islip, in the county of Northampton, England, in the year 1601, and refers to a former John Nicoll, who died in the year 1467. The evidence concerning the fortunes of the Knglish branch of the family is very scanty, nor is it possible to write with certainty of their position. The coat of arms j however, recites "that, whereas, anciently from the beginning it hath been a custome, in all countryes and common wealthes well governed, that the bearing of certeyn markes in shields, comonly called armes, have byn and are used by persons ever of the best degree and calling, as the onlye demonstracons of their prowesse and valor in tymes of warre, as for their good life and conversacon in tymes of peace, amongst the which nomber for that I finde John Nicoll of Buckingham." This and certain other family records have led to the conclusion that the Nicolls of England belonged to the landed gentry, if not to the nobility. The family estate in Islip is supposed to have been confiscated at the time of the English Revolution. The ancestor of the American Nicolls was Matthias Nicoll, a lawyer of Lincoln's Inn, who accompanied his near relative General Sir Richard Nicoll to America in 1664. The Uuke of York, afterward James the Second, having determined to send an expedition to America to wrest the important colony of New Amsterdam from the Dutch, selected Sir Richard Nicoll, who enjoyed his in- timate friendship, to command it. Sir Richard took with him his young kinsman Matthias, and having suc- cessfully overcome the Dutch became the first English governor of the colony thereafter known as New York. Matthias became the first English colonial secretary. Sir Richard Nicoll soon tired of provincial life, and at his own request was recalled to England, where he died. Matthias, however, determined to remain. So satis- factorily to the Dutch citizens, who were inclined to fret at the English yoke, did he discharge the duties of secre- tary to the colony that he was elected by them to be the third mayor of the city of New York. His son William Nicoll married Miss Van Rensselaer of Albany, the daughter of the patroon, and received from the king a patent for a tract of land in Suffolk county, some twenty thousand acres in extent, which he settled and called Islip Grange, after the estate in Islip in North- hamptonshire, England. William Nicoll was a man of much distinction in the colony, and was the speaker of the first colonial Legislature. On his death the Islip estate, which was entailed, descended to his eldest son, Benjamin Nicoll. His youngest son, William — known as "the speaker" — devoted himself to public affairs and was elected speaker of the colonial Legislature eighteen consecutive years. He received by gift from his friends Nathaniel and Gyles Silvester a handsome estate of about four thousand acres on Shelter Island. It is a curious fact that the greater part of both the Islip and Shelter Island estates still remains in the Nicoll family. William " the speaker " was a bachelor, and left the Shelter Island property to his nephew William, the son of Benjamin, who had in the meantime inherited Islip from his father, and who thus became possessed of both estates. This William was a man of remarkable abilities and enjoyed a great reputation at the bar. To his eldest son William descended the estate at Islip, but during his lifetime he gave Shelter Island to his other son, Samuel Benjamin. The William last men- tioned was succeeded by his son William, who was in turn succeeded by his son William, the father of the present William Nicoll of Islip. From Samuel Benjamin Shelter Island descended to his children, of whom there were eight. The second son, Samuel Benjamin, purchased the portions of his brothers and sisters and became the sole proprietor of the estate. On his death, in 1866, he left the property to his children — Samuel Benjamin, Charlotte Ann, William Courtland, Sarah Paine, Matthias and Anne. The Nicolls of Bayside represent both the Shelter Island and Islip branches of the family. Benjamin, the brother of "the speaker," had two sons. William, the eldest, as we have seen, inherited Islip from his father and acquired Shelter Island from his uncle the " speaker. Benjamin, the younger son, came to New York city, where he was educated at Kings (now Columbia) College, and married Mary Madalen, daughter of Edward Holland. His eldest son was Henry Nicoll, a merchant of much wealth, who purchased a large estate at Mastic, in Suffolk county. His eldest son, Edward Holland Nicoll, married Mary Townsend, of Albany. Like his father he engaged in mercantile life with suc- cess. His eldest son, Henry, was a lawyer of promi- nence in the city of New York and at one time a member of Congress; while his younger son, Solomon Townsend Nicoll, followed the footsteps of his father, and became a successful merchant. Solomon Town- send at the age of 38 married his third cousin Charlotte Ann Nicoll, of Shelter Island. In the year 1855 he purchased the present Nicoll estate at Bayside, designing it for a country seat. The man- sion is beautifully situated in a grove of cedars on a high bluff, at the foot of which is Little Neck Bay. A long avenue of elms and maples, planted by the first pro- prietor but already grown to majestic size, makes the ap- proach to the house resemble an English country seat. The children of Solomon T. Nicoll are: Annie Nicoll, who married William M. Hoes, an eminent member of the New York bar; De Lancey Nicoll, whose portrait is on page — ; Benjamin Nicoll, who married Grace Davison Lord, daughter of James Couper and granddaughter of the famous Daniel Lord; Edward Holland; and Mary Townsend, who married James Brown Lord, a brother of of the wife of Benjamin; and • Charlotte Nicoll. Both DELANCEY NICOLL. THE NICOLL FAMILY. i43 Benjamin and Edward Holland are merchants in New York city, the former an importer and member of the firm of Hall, Nicoll & Granbery, and the latter in the dry goods commission business. De Lancey, Benjamin and Edward Holland are graduates of St. Paul's School, Con- cord, N. H., and of Princeton College. De Lancey grad- uated with high honors in 1874, and was admitted to the bar in 1876, from Columbia College law school. Since that date he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in New York city, residing, however, with his mother at the homestead at Bayside. The Nicoll family has intermarried with many of the old colonial families, including the Van Rensselaer, De Lancey, Woodhull, Floyd, Townsend, Lawrence, Havens, Holland, Saulsbury and Keteltas families. While no one member has attained any special distinc- tion, the family in general has retained for two hundred years that prominent position which means and education always command. Almost all the male representatives have been educated at one of the great American uni- versities and have been members of the federal or the State Legislature, while many of the females have been distinguished for personal beauty and varied accomplish- ments. It is indeed an unusual circumstance in America to find a family, which, since the advent of its ancestor over two hundred years ago, has retained through all the changes and progressions of American life not only its integrity and traditions, but its property and landed estates, and its high social position. HEMPSTEAD. HE town of Hempstead is the largest in the v. county of Queens, containing one hundred square miles, or sixty-four thousand acres. It originally extended north to Long Island Sound, but the present town of North Hempstead was taken from it by an act of the Legislature passed April 6th 1784. The line established was the County road that leads from Jamaica nearly through the middle of Hempstead Plains to the east part there- of," and the part south of this line was to be thereafter called South Hempstead. The same act also provided that the inhabitants of either town should enjoy the right of oystering, fishing and clamming in the waters of both. On the 7th of April 1801 the name of South Hempstead was changed to Hempstead. Hempstead is bounded north by North Hempstead, east by Oyster Bay, south by the Atlantic Ocean, and west by Jamaica. Successive censuses have shown constant growth in the population of the town, except during the civil war. The figures for recent years are as follows : 1845, 8,269; r8 5°> 8,811; 1855, 10,477; i860, 12,375; 1865, 11,764; 1870, r 3>999; 1875, 14,792; 1880, 18,160. Relics of the Indians. Many interesting relics of the aborigines have been found at Hempstead and vicinity. These relics are of local interest and of increasing value, illustrating as they do much of the life history of a people almost extinct on the island, In 1862 two copper axes, with four of jasper, were found at Rockville Center, in a field near the village, th ree feet below the surface. They were surrounded by spear heads of flint, set upright in a circle. The copper axes were evidently of native copper, and wrought into their present form by hammering. One of these, in pos- session of the Long Island Historical Society, is seven inches long by four and one-half broad. These relics are rude in pattern and the deep corrosion of their sur- face indicates that they are of considerable antiquity. These axes are doubtless from the copper-bearing regions of the upper lakes, and indicate that the Long Island In- dians were in intercourse with those of the copper region. There is no probability that the Indians of Long Island knew anything of the working of copper. They were workers of stone, but not of metals. Stone axes, clubs and spear and arrow heads were found at an early date throughout the island. All these are of the same material as composes the rocks of Long Island. Flint, quartz, jasper, compact sandstone and slaty rock pestles, mortars, whetstones and pottery have been frequently found, but not as frequently as one would expect from the density of the Indian population. A large whetstone or milling stone of silicious slaty rock was found at Ro< kaway a few years ago; and a well-formed skull was taken from an Indian grave in Rockaway. It was found enclosed in a round urn-shaped vessel, the skeleton being upright and the vessel turned over the head; on the outside it is rudely worked or carved. The entire skull and about half of the urn were preserved. Among other curious relics of olden times is a receipt book found in 1876 in a package of rags by James R. Brightman, of Rockville Center. It had been the prop- erty of Hendrick Onderdonk. It was leather bound, and the writing, although over a hundred years old, would compare favorably with manuscript of to-day. Many re- ceipts dated back to 1752. The Early Inhabitants. The first white settlement in the town was made in 1643, by settlers from Stamford, Connecticut, who had emigrated from Hemal, Hempstead, England, a few years previous. The natives had sold the territory of Hemp- stead to Rev. Robert Fordham and John Carman in 1643, and, as it was under Dutch jurisdiction, these gentlemen obtained a patent for the land from Governor Kieft on the 16th of November 1644. One of the conditions of the patent was that they should pay the government a tax of one-tenth part of their farm produce in ten years after the first general peace with the Indians. It seems that Fordham and Carman were acting as a committee for the settlers at Stamford, and as soon as the arrangements were made with the natives they removed to Long Isl- and and settled within the present limits of the village of Hempstead. The first arrival of settlers consisted of between thirty and forty families. Among the most prom- inent were Richard Guildersleeve, Edward, Thurston and William Raynor, Rev. Richard Denton, Matthew THE SETTLERS Mitchell, Captain John Underbill, Robert Coe, Rev. Robert Ford ham, John Carman, Andrew Ward, Jonas Wood, John Ogden and Robert Jackson, nearly all hav- ing descendants on the island at the present day. Several of the first settlers had been persons of dis- tinction in New England. Thurston Raynor and Mr. Guildersleeve had been magistrates for Stamford. Ward, Coe and Mitchell were commissioners for Stamford, Ward having been a judge for the first court ever held in New Haven, in the year 1636. Many of them had served as legislators, and all were of excellent character. The first division of land, as appears by the records, took place in 1647, ar >d it shows that there were at that time sixty-two freeholders in the town. As a general thing the most pacific relations existed between the whites or planters and their Indian neighbors; yet collisions some- times took place. It was found necessary to concert measures to prevent their recurrence, and the governor on one occasion convened the sachems and head men of the Marsapeagues and other tribes at the village of Hempstead, on the 12th of March 1656, when a general treaty was agreed upon by the governor and Tackapousha, the chief sachem. Among the articles of agreement were the following interesting provisions: Section I. — " That all injuries formerly passed in the time of the governor's predecessors shall be forgiven and forgotten, since ye year 1645." Section V. — " The governor doth promise, betwixt this date and six months, to build a house or fort upon such place as they shall show upon the north side, and the house or fort to be furnished with Indian trade and com- modities." Section VI. — " That the inhabitants of Hempsteede, according to their patent, shall enjoy their purchase without molestation from ye sachem or his people, either of person or estate; and the sachem will live in peace with all ye English and Dutch within this jurisdiction. And the governor doth promise for himself and all his people to live in peace with ye sachem and all his people." Section VII. — " That in case an Indian do wrong to a Christian in person or estate, and complaint be made to the sachem, he shall make full satisfaction; likewise if a Dutchman or Englishman shall wrong an Indian the governor shall make satisfaction according to equity. On the 4th of July 1647 tne Indians of Hempstead, represented by the sachems Tackapousha and Wautogh, with seven other Indians, probably sachems or head men representing the Indian tribes of Hempstead, ratified and confirmed the purchase which had been made from the Indians in 1643. This agreement or release was sub- scribed before John James, clerk, and in presence of John Hicks, John Seaman and Richard Gildersleevc. Upon payment of the balance due to the Indians on the pur- chase price of the lands, the last installment being paid February 14th, 1660, the following curious relase wa s executed by the Indians: " We the Indians under written do hereby acknowledge to have received of the magistrates and inhabitants of Hemsteede our pay in full satisfaction for the tract of OF HEMPSTEAD. land sould unto them according to agreement and accord- ing to patent and purchase. The general boundes is as followelh: beginning at a place called Mattagarrett's Bay, and soe running upon a direct line north and south, from sea to sea; the boundes running from Hempsteede Harbour due east to a pointe of treese adjoining to the lande of Robert Williams, where we left markt treese; the same line running from sea to sea; the other line be- ginning at a markt tree standing at the east end of the greate plaine and running a due south line, at the south sea by a markt tree in a neck called Maskachoung. And wee doe further engage ourselves to uphold this our present act and all our former agreements to bee just and lawful; and wee doe binde ourselves to save and defend them harmless from any manner of claime or pretense that shall be made to disturb theire right. Whereunto we have subscribed this eleventh day of May Anno 1658, stilo novo. " Waautauch, Tackapousha, Cheknow, Martom, Sayasstock, Pers-Roma. " Subscribed by Wacombound, Montauk sachem after the death of his father, this 14th day of February 1660, being a general town meeting at Hemsteede. " John James, clerk." This instrument probably describes the same general boundaries as are set forth in the patent of Governor Kieft, and described in the original contract and purchase in 1643. February 27th 1658 the citizens of Hempstead, by the hand of their clerk John James, petitioned Governor Stuyvesant as follows: "After the remembrance of our submissive and humble respects, it hath pleased God, after a sickly and sad som- mer, to give us a seasonable and comfortable autumne, wherewith wee have beene (throw mercy) refreshed our- selves and have gained strength of God soe that wee ne- cessarily have been employed in getting winter foode for our cattell, and thereby have something prolonged our wonted tyme of chosing magestrates, for ye wch wee hope yor honour will hold us excused; and now, accordinge to our accustomed manner, wee have voted and put upon denomination our former magestrate, Mr. Gildersleeve, and with him William Shodden, Robert rorman and Henry Pearsall; all of them are knowing men of honest life and good integrity; therefore wee desire your honour to appoint two of them, and always according to our duty shall pray the most high God to bless and preserve yor honour with much health and prosperity, in all your noble designs, wee humbly take our leave. "Ever honoured sr., your Loyall, true and obedient servants, the inhabitants of Hemsteede. "John James, clerk." To the records of the town, Thompson's " History of Long Island " and the "Annals of Hempstead " we are indebted for the following extracts: March 28th 1658, stilo novo. — " This day ordered that Mr. Gildersleeve, John Hicks, John Seaman, Robert Jack- son and William Foster are to go with Cheknow, sent and authorized by ye Montake Sachem to marck and lay out ye general] bounds of ye lands belonging to ye towne of Hemsteede, according to ye extent of ye limits and jurisdiction of ye said town; to be known by her markt trees and other places of note, to continue for ever; and in case Tackapousha, Sagamore of Marsapeague, with his Indians, doth come according to their agreement, then to lay out the said bounds." ID 146 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. April 12th 1658. — Ordered by the townsmen of Hem- steede, that all ye fences of ye frontiere lotts that shall runn into ye field shall be substantially made by ye 25th of this monthe of April, and any person found negligent shall forfeit 5 shillings to the towne; and whoever shall open the towne gates, and neglect to shut them or to put up the barrs, shall pay the like sum, one half to the towne and the other half to the informer; also. William Jacoks and Edward Raynor to be cow-keeps for the year; the people to be ready at the sounding of the horn to send out their cows, and the keeper to be ready to take charge of them sun half an hour high, and to bring them home half an hour before sunset, to water them at reasonable hours, and to be driven beyond East Meadows, to pre- vent damage in the cornfields; to be allowed 12 shillings sterling a week from nth of May to 10th of August, and then 15 shillings a week till the 23d of Oct. The first payment to be made in butter; that is, for each cow one pound butter, at 6d. a pound, and the remainder in wampum." The town deputed Richard Gildersleeve, July 10th 1658, to go to Manhattan and agree with the governor con- cerning the tithes, "which are not to exceed 100 sheeples of wheat " and to be delivered, if required, at the town harbor; the charge of his journey to be defrayed by the town. The town agreed to pay the herdsmen 12 shil- lings sterling a week in butter, corn and oats, at fixed prices. Six bushels of corn were allowed by the town for killing a wolf. The price of corn was 2s. 6d. a bushel, wheat 4s., pork 3d. a pound, butter 6d. a pound, lodging 2d. a night, beer 2d. a mug, board 5s. a week, victuals 6d. a meal, and labor 2s. 6d. a day. Drunkenness being prevalent in the place, January 14th 1659 a former order was renewed as follows: "That any that have formerly or shall hereafter transgress shall pay for ye first fault 10 guilders, for the second 20 guilders and for the third to stand to the determinacion of ye Court, according to ye first order." During the same year, at a town meeting, it was de cided that any person absenting himself or herself from public worship on the Lord's day, or other public days, should for the first offense pay five shillings, for the sec- ond ten, for the third twenty, and after that be subjected to "corporal punishment, or banishment." " About this period Cow Neck was enclosed by a post and rail fence, which extended from Hempstead harbor to the head of the creek dividing Cow Neck from Great Neck; and every person was entitled to put in a number of cows or cattle to pasture, in proportion to the number of standing gates or pannels of fence made by him. Af- terward, in the distribution of lands, the shares of in- dividuals were adjusted by the same rule, inconsequence of which this neck was divided among a small number of people. The lands about Rockaway were enclosed in like manner." In the years 1683-85 considerable anxiety was felt on account of a requirement by Governor Dongan that the town take out a new patent. After holding town meet- ings for three years, during which time several parties were sent to New York to confer with the governor, an instrument was drawn which was satisfactory to both parties. It required the inhabitants to make a yearly payment in New York of " twenty bushels of good win- ter wheat, or four pounds in good current money of New York, on or before the twenty-fifth day of March." In addition to this the people had presented to the gov- ernor and his secretary 650 acres of land. In the same year Paman, sagamore of Rockaway, and others sold Rockaway Neck to a merchant of New York, claiming that said territory was not within the limits of the pur- chase of 1643. Accordingly a tax of 2^ pence per acre was levied on the taxable inhabitants, 160 in number, to liquidate the price; $442.50 was raised by this means. In speaking of the first church Rev. Mr. Jenney says : "It is an ordinary wooden building, 40 feet long and 26 wide, the roof covered with cedar shingles and the sides clapboarded with oak; within it is not ceiled overhead, but the sides are boarded with pine. There is no pulpit, but a raised desk only, having a cloth and cushion of silk; a large table stands before the desk, where the justices and leading men sit when they come to church. There are no pews except one for the secretary; the rest of the church is filled with open benches." August 1st 1683 the town voted that Jeremy Wood should have ten shillings a year " for looking after the opening and shutting of the window shutters belonging to the meeting-house, and to look carefully after the hour glass." October 30th 1702 the Assembly of the colony ordered Major Jackson to acquaint the town of Hempstead that a public school was designed to be erected among them, and to inquire what encouragement they would give the same. From the " Early History of Hempstead," by Charles B. Moore, we take the following list of proprietors of Hempstead in 1647: Robert Ashman, Thomas Armitage, Samuel Baccus, John Carman, Samuel Clark, Benjamin and John Coe and their father Robert, Rev. Richard Denton and his sons Samuel, Richard, Nathaniel and Daniel (the historian), John Ellison, John Foucks, Rev. Robert Fordham and son John, Christopher Foster, Thomas Foster, Richard Guildersleeve, John Hicks, John Hudd, Henry Hudson, Thomas Ireland, Robert Jackson, John Lawrence, William Lawrence, John Lewis, Richard Lewis, Roger Lines, John Ogden, Richard Ogden, Henry Pierson, Thomas Pope, Edward Raynor, William Ray- nor, William Rogers, Joseph Scott, William Scott, Simon Sering, John Sewell, William Shadden, Thomas Sher- man, Abraham Smith, James Smith, John Smith sen. and John Smith jr., William Smith, Thomas Stephenson, John Storye, John Strickland, Samuel Strickland, Nicholas Tanner, John Topping, William Thickstone, Richard Yalentine, William Washburne, Daniel Whitehead, Henry Whitsoh, Thomas Willett, Robert Williams, William Williams, Edmund Wood, Jeremiah Wood, Jonas Wood, Francis Yates. At least ten of these men were from Yorkshire, Eng.; probably more. Early Court Proceedings. At a court held at Hempstead commencing May 7th 1658 Robert Jackson and William Smith were plaintiffs in an action for abuse and misdemeanor committed by EARLY LAWSUITS IN HEMPSTEAD. 147 Henry Linington, defendant. At the same court Peter Cornelissen sued Linington in an action of accounts, and the following year Linington was also defendant in an action for defamation, in which James Pine was plain- tiff. The early court records are full of interest, and the law was possibly dealt out with more care and justice than is found in the courts of the present day. From Onderdonk's " Annals of Hempstead " we quote the following records: 1658, July 25. — Richard Valentine having reported that Thomas Southard went up and down with a club, the latter, meeting him one morning as he was going about his avocations, struck him on the face. As South- ard still menaced and threatened to further beat him, he took oath that he stood in danger and fear of his life, and required the peace and that Southard might put in security for his good behavior. It is therefore ordered by Mr. Richard Gildersleeve, for that Thomas Southard did contemptuously resist authority in refusing to obey the marshal with his warrant, and did fly the same and betook himself to his own house for his refuge, in con- sideration of these outrages and misdemeanors he is re- quired to put in security for his appearance at court. And said Southard doth bind himself and all his lands, goods and chattels, to appear at court, and meantime to keep the peace and good behavior. At a court held December 28, on the submission of Southard, and paying all costs, the penalty and fault are remitted in hopes of his reformation. Valentine is also reconciled, and doth remit the abuse done unto him. 1659, January 2. — Thomas Ireland complains of Rich- ard Brudenell, keeper of an ordinary, for using deceitful dealings, and produces in court the following witnesses: Mary, wife of Richard Willis, sent her child for a pint of sack and he afterwards demanded pay for a quart. William Jacocks bought four cans of beer, one day last spring, and was booked seven. He paid it. Thomas Langdon was charged for four bushels of oats and had but two, and a few oats in a piggin, and a tray — being half a bushel. Richard Lattin, four or five years ago, agreed with Brudenell for diet of himself and son for twelve shillings the week, and had it a week and four days, which did come to twenty shillings. Lattin said it was ten days, but Brudenell made it eleven, and said if he would not pay for eleven he would show him such a trick as he never had seen; that is, he would set upon his book a guilder a meal and eight pence a night for his bed, and then he should pay whether he would or not. The court find, January 14, that Brudenell's books are false and not fit to pass in law, and he is to pay twelve guilders for calling a court, else execution to follow. 1659, January 14. — Robert Lloyd, having spoken un- seemly words to the dishonor of God and the evil exam- ple of others, is fined ten guilders. But having, Febru- ary 11, made an acknowledgment of his fault, the court hath remitted the fine, on his reformation. 1659, January 16. — Daniel Whitehead, when he lived at Hempstead, lost linen and other goods, and upon search he found at Richard Brudenell's a brass candle- stick and one small striped linen carpet and one table napkin which he doth judge to be his own. Whereas Brudenell would not enter into recognizance and utterly refused the favor of the court, he is condemned to re- store fourfold — that is, twenty-eight shillings sterling — else execution to follow in fourteen days. He appeals to the governor, and the answer in Dutch may be seen in the Hempstead court minutes. 1659, May 1. — Robert Jackson contra Richard Lattin — action of the case, defamation to the value of ;£ioo ster- ling damages. Jackson in his declaration says that, hav- ing occasions of account with Lattin, upon some debate he gave him very bad language tending to his defamation and scandal, and amongst other evil words called him a rascal. The court, June 5, sentences him to forty guild- ers fine, or corporal punishment, unless he submissively acknowledges, in presence of the court, that he hath wronged Mr. Jackson, and is sorry for it. 1659, May 1. — Robert Williams sent to the mill of Hempstead six bushels of good Indian corn and de- livered it into the keeping of William, son of Peter Cor- nelissen, to be ground. He received two bushels, but the rest of the meal lay on the mill-bed and had been spoiled by the rain beating upon it, and was grown sour and not fit for man's food. When Williams demanded satisfaction Cornelissen refused, and said he had carried corn himself to Manhattans mill and it took damage and he could get no recompense. He then desired Cornelis- sen to put out the meal and give him the sack, but he told him he would not meddle with it. The court ad- judge Cornelissen to make good the damage done unto the sack and meal by giving him good meal, and in case they cannot agree, then to stand at the judgment of two indifferent men; and Cornelissen is to pay court charges and give satisfaction within fourteen days, or before he depart the town, else execution to follow. 1659, June 11. — It is ordered that all wills proved in this court at Hempstead shall pay six guilders unto the use of the court, and the clerk and marshal's fee. 1658, September 2. — Among other items in the last will of Nicholas Tanner is that "a beast shall be sold to buy some linen to bury me in, and also a sheet and other things that shall be needful, and the white-faced cow killed at my burial and given to the neighbors." 1649, Nov., Richard Lamson put out a cow to Joseph Schott to winter. He removed that winter from Hemp- stead, and the cow was to be returned next spring to Samuel Clark, his agent, but Schott refused, though Clark tendered security. Schott says the cow proved unsound in her bag, and the spring following, being far- row, he put her down to the common pasture to feed, and in the fall sold her to D. Whitehead. Her calf he maintained till it came to be a cow, and she had one calf, and another which was destroyed by wolves. The cow, being well so far forth as he knew, was found dead one morning, leaving a calf. The court order Schott to pay for the cow ^6.10, and 20s. for one summer's milk, with one guilder on the pound interest upon interest for eight years, and costs, and 10s. for the plaintiff's charges for this journey. Schott {ultimo January 1659) makes a tender of goods to the valuation of the aforesaid sum, to be publicly sold at outcry by the marshal, and engages to save him harmless. Prime February Schott's barn and appurtenance, with his home-lot (three acres), is sold to George Hewlet for ^5.4 in present passable pay. I. Thomas Skidmore (May 6 1659), have received ^1 5.9.6 in full satisfaction of the above sentence, in behalf of Edward Higbie of Huntington. 1660, January 21. — John Smith jr. sues Thomas El- lison in an action for trespass, for that he did ride his mare double, contrary to his knowledge, and his mare was lamed to his damage 40s. Ellison answers that he was at John Carman's door, and at his wife Hannah's re- quest did ride before her to Oyster Bay, on Saturday, and on the Lord's day kept the mare there and on Mon- day rode her back and delivered her to John Carman. The court doth condemn the plaintiff in all the court charges, to be paid within fourteen days, else execution to follow. 1660, February 19. — Thomas Hicks, in behalf of his HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. wiie, Mary, late wife of John Washburn, deceased, de- mands certain legacies bequeathed by William Washburn to his son John: Imprimis, one-third of Mr. Washburn's meadow; i/cm, two sowc, one yearling, one pestle and mortar, two ox-pastures and five gates in the Neck. The court order the iibove to be delivered to plaintiff, for the use of John Washburn jr. Hempstead in the Revolutionary War. In various places in the History of Hempstead allu- sions are made to incidents connected with the Revo- lutionary war. In this sketch we purpose to give quota- tions, together with facts gathered, many of which have never before been published. Many quotations are taken from Onderdonk's " Documents and Letters," published in 1849. At Hempstead April 4th 1775 the inhabitants, assem- bled, passed the following resolutions: " First, That, as we have already borne true and faith- ful allegiance to his Majesty King George the Third, our gracious and lawful sovereign, so we are firmly re- solved to continue in the same line of duty to him and his lawful successors. " Second, That we esteem our civil and religious liber- ties above any other blessings, and those only can be se- cured to us by our present constitution; we shall invio- lably adhere to it, since deviating from it and introducing innovations would have a direct tendency to subvert it, from which the most ruinous consequences might justly be apprehended. " Third, That it is our ardent desire to have the pres- ent unnatural contest between the parent State and her colonies amicably and speedily accommodated on prin- ciples of constitutional liberty; and that the union of the colonies with the parent State may subsist till time shall be no more. " Fourth, That as the worthy members of our General Assembly, who are our only legal and constitutional rep- resentatives, * * * have petitioned his most gracious Majesty, sent a memorial to the House of Lords and a remonstrance to the House of Commons, we are deter- mined to wait patiently the issue of those measures, and avoid everything that might frustrate those laudable en- deavors. " Fifth, That, as choosing deputies to form a Provincial Congress or convention must have this tendency, be highly disrespectful to our legal representatives, and also be attended, in all probability, with the most pernicious effects in other instances, as is now actually the case in some provinces — such as shutting up courts of justice, levying money on the subjects to enlist men for the pur- pose of fighting against our sovereign, diffusing a spirit of sedition among the people, destroying the authority of. constitutional assemblies, and otherwise introducing many heavy and oppressive grievances — we therefore are determined not to choose any deputies, nor consent to it, but do solemnly bear our testimony against it. " Sixth, That we are utterly averse to all mobs, riots and illegal proceedings, by which the lives, peace and property of our fellow subjects are endangered; and that we will to the utmost of our power support our legal magistrates in suppressing all riots, and preserving the peace of our liege sovereign." Notwithstanding these resolutions, at a meeting of freeholders of the county, held at Jamaica May 22nd 1775, Thomas Hicks and Captain Richard Thorne were elected to represent Hempstead, and on June 26th Thomas Hicks, of Little Neck, elected for Hempstead, declined taking his seat " because he was informed by several leading men that the people of Hempstead seemed much inclined to remain peaceable and quiet." Hempstead was a small village in the war, with only nine houses between the brooks, three of which were taverns. The village was selected by the British as one of their outposts, " as convenient quarters for their light horse, who would be near the city in case of attack, and could also make excursions to gather forage, etc., for the city, and scour the country when the rebels landed from the main." Houses were patrolled and soldiers were to be found for miles around Hempstead, and sentry boxes were scattered all about what is now Hempstead village. The Presbyterian church was used as a barrack for sol- diers, and later the floors were taken out, and the build- ing was used as a riding school for drilling horses. The grave-stones were used for fire-backs, hearths and oven bottoms. On the outside of the church were rings, to which soldiers were suspended by one hand with, a foot resting on a sharp stake set in the ground, the remaining hand and foot being tied together. These points under foot were occasionally of iron, and by the writhing of the sufferer would sometimes pierce through the foot. The culprit was then sent to the hospital, and would often be lame for weeks. This was the punishment of the light horse. The Hessians ran the gauntlet. An apple tree east of the burying ground was used as a whipping-post. Along the brook east of the village there were huts for the soldiers, built of sods. Boards were very scarce, and the Presbyterian church at Foster's Meadow and the Presbyterian church at Islip were taken down and con- veyed to Hempstead, where the lumber was used in making barracks and stables. From 1778 until peace was declared the light horse made Hempstead their headquarters during the winter, and occasionally they re- cruited in the summer, allowing their horses to wander into the fields of grain and clover fields, which in many cases were entirely destroyed. A fixed price was gen- erally allowed for such damage, which was paid in New York. These horsemen, called the " Queen's Own," it is said were well disciplined and finely equipped. The wood yard and hay magazine were north of Sam- mis's inn, enclosed and guarded. There were to be seen numerous large stacks of hay, containing one or two hun- dred loads each. From 1778 the militia was called out several times to capture "Americans " or " rebels," so-called, who made excursions to the island in search of catrie and plunder. We copy an account of one of these raids: " Last Sunday [about July 1st 1779] two rebel whale- boats, on which were seventeen men, made their appear- ance at Hog Island, near Rockaway. The militia were soon alarmed, and a party was dispatched in two boats, while the others marched along shore and secreted themselves among the brush at the entrance of and along the creek, at which they entered. The rebels had scarcely landed when they observed the two boats coming into the inlet, on which they endeavored to escape; but finding they REVOLUTIONARY TIMES IN HEMPSTEAD. 149 were surrrounded and fired on from all quarters they surrendered. Some time after three others of the same gentry came rowing along shore, and, observing their two boats, made into the inlet and fell also into the hands ot the militia. These boats were fitted out at Saybrook, Conn., with a brass two-pounder in the bow of each, and have a commission from Governor Trumbull to plunder the inhabitants of Long Island. The prisoners, forty- one in number, were brought to town yesterday." "In July 1780 the British ship 'Galatea' ran ashore, near Hog Island, the sloop 'Revenue,' privateer, of New London, W. Jagger commander, fitted out by Joseph Woolridge, carrying 12 guns and 52 men. The vessel bilged, the men jumped overboard and swam ashore with their arms, where the militia of Hempstead captured them. Several other captures were made of rebels, who evidently believed Long Island and all its people to be loyal to the crown. " People would sometimes take a spy-glass and climb on the roof of their houses, and if they saw any whale- boats in the bay they would remove their valuables to a hiding place, leaving only a few articles in the house. The robbers would then ransack the house, curse them for their poverty, and depart. Stores were often nearly emptied in this way of an afternoon, and the goods re- placed next morning; but if the owners were once caught they were likely to be tortured till the goods were forth- coming. The alarm was spread by guns or horn blowing." In November 1 781, in a letter dated at Poughkeepsie, Governor George Clinton, being informed that friends on Long Island expressed a desire of advancing money for the use of the State, sent a person with the following: " State of New York, ss. — I hereby pledge the faith of said State for the repayment of the sum of one thousand pounds, current money of said State, in specie, with in- terest at the rate of six per cent, per annum, to John Sands, Esq., or order, within one year after the conclu- sion of the present war with Great Britain. " Given at Poughkeepsie, this 1st day of June, 1782. "Witness, Geo. Trimble. Geo. Clinton." The amount was raised as follows: Major R. Thome, £200; John Thorne, ,£200; John Sands, ^400; Daniel Whitehead Kissam, ^200. The notes were paid. In September 1775, Congress being destitute of arms, it was resolved that all "found in the hands of any per- son who has not signed the general association shall be impressed for the use of said troops." Said arms were to be appraised, and in case they were not returned the owner was to receive the appraised value. Companies were detailed to visit Hempstead. Considerable diffi- culty was encountered, but later, in January 1776, we find the following: " The battalion left Col. Heard at Hempstead last Wednesday with 60c or 700 militia, where great numbers of tories were every hour coming in and delivering up their arms." Again: "Col. Heard crossed Hurl Gate ferry and proceeded through Newtown to Jamaica, at Betts's tavern, and left on a Sunday for Hempstead. There was great talk of opposition in Hempstead, but it was at last concluded to submit. His quarters were at Nathaniel Sammis's. It being ordered, May 10th 1776, that the county committee form and regulate the militia without delay, we find the following regarding Hempstead: South Hempstead. — Foster Meadow company, 98 men; officers, none. Far Rockaway company, 90 men; Peter Smith captain, Benjamin Cornell lieutenant. South Hempstead company, no men; officers, none. Jeru- salem company, 85 men; Richard Jackson captain, Zeb. Seaman lieutenant. JVorth Hempstead. — North Side company, T20 men ; Philip Valentine captain, Coe Searing second lieutenant. Cow Neck and Great Neck company, 130 men; Andrew Onderdonk ensign. Total number in North and South Hempstead and Oyster Bay, 1,028 men. The following were the higher officers: Colonel, John Sands; lieutenant colonel, Benja- min Birdsall; majors, Richard Thorne and John Hender- At one time Stephen Rider, with some Jamaica minute- men, went to Hempstead to hunt defaulters. A party of nine, in two sedgeboats, were concealed in the swamp at the head of Demon's (now Dordon's) mill pond. On this occasion one Rider climbed an oak tree to re- connoitre, when a ball whistled by his head. He saw by the smoke whence it came, and a loaded gun being handed him he .fired, and the ball passed through the body of George Smith. The wound was dressed by Drs. Searing and Seabury, and Smith, being a young and vigorous man, recovered. During the month of July 1776 precautions were taken for saving the cattle and crops from the British should they attempt to land on the island. Colonel Birdsall with a command of recruits was sent to Far Rockaway, where sentinels were placed in the most advantageous positions for observing the approach of the enemy. In August Captain P. Nostrand was stationed at the same place with forty-six men, to guard the coast. There was a guard at David Mott's, and at Hog Island inlet was a guard boat. According to one account, " Nelly Cornell, looking out of an upper window of a house, called to the American officer and told him she saw trees rising from the ocean." He looked, called another officer, and said, " That's the British fleet. Down with the tents, and let's be off to the ferry." Wagons were then impressed to convey the bag- gage, and all the cattle were driven off. August 25th Congress resolved that all horses, horned cattle and sheep south of the ridge of hills in Queens county be removed to Hempstead Plains ; that the in- habitants remove all grain then in barns or barracks to a distance from buildings, that it might be burnt, if neces- sary to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy. A little later the regiments were ordered by General Wash- ington to withdraw from Long Island. Afterward a large portion of the militia returned to Long Island and took British protection, to save their property and pro- tect their families. According to Onderdonk, it is not known when the British first came to North Hempstead ; but probably immediately after Washington left the island their light horse hunted out the leading Whigs and impressed wagons. Since the Revolutionary war and during the last cen- tury the growth of the town of Hempstead has been gene- ral, many hamlets springing up. The village histories below will be of interest to the reader, showing how <5o HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. rapid lias been the growth of Hempstead, not only in population but in wealth, during the last one hundred years. The Civil List, etc. Postmasters since 1850. — John W. Smith, four years; Ebenezer Kellum, eight; C. C. Rhodes, about six; Robert T. Powell, two; Sands Powell jr., three; Dr. Morris Snedeker, eight; J. S. Snedeker, the present incumbent, since June 14th 1880. Justices of the Peace since i860. — Henry Pearsall, i860, 1864; John Pettit, 1861; James M. Seaman, 1862, 1866, 1870, 1874; Oliver Lossee jr., 1863, 1875, 1876, 1879; Thomas H. Clowes, 1865; John A. Smith, 1867; Samuel De Mott, 1868; Ebenezer Kellum, 1869; Valentine Kitchen, 187 1; Sylvenus Johnson, 1872; J. Seymour Snedeker, 1873; C. Matthews, 1876; B. Valentine Clowes, 1877, 1881; T. D. Smith, 1878; Edwin J. Healey, 1880. Supervisors since 1785. — Major John Hendrickson, 1785; Nathaniel Seaman, 1786-92; Joseph Pettit, 1793 96, 1798-1802; Hezekiah Bedell, 1797; Richard Bedell, 1803-10, 1812-18; Oliver Denton, 181 1; John D. Hicks, 1819, 1820; Elias Hicks, 1821, 1822; John Simonson, 1823, 1824; Robert Davison, 1825-35; John W. De Mott, 1836, 1844-46; Charles De Mott, 1837-41; Stephen Bedell, 1842; Robert Cornwell, 1843; Benjamin H. Willis, 1847, 1848; Benjamin T. Smith, 1849-54; Tred- well Davidson, 1855; John S. Hendrickson, 1856, 1857; Robert Cornwell, 1858-62, 1865-67; S. N. Snedeker, 1863, 1864, 1874; Carman Cornelius, 1868-71; James J. Matthews, 1872; John B. Post, 1873; Ebenezer Kellum, '875-77; Charles N. Clement, 1878-81. Town Clerks since 1785. — Nathaniel Seaman, 1785, 1786; Samuel Clowes, 1787-94; Richard Bedell, 1795; Abraham Bedell, 1 796-181 7 ; Edward A.Clowes, 1818-23; Albert Hentz, 1824-33; Benjamin Rushmore, 1834-40; Thomas Welch, 1841; Harry H. Marvin, 1842-54; Abram S. Snedeker, 1855; Harry H. Marvin, 1856, 1857, 1859-61; John E. Davidson, 1858, 1863, 1864; Benjamin F. Rushmore, 1862; Sands Powell jr., 1865-68; J. M. Oldrin, 1869; J. Seymour Snedeker, 1870-72: Samuel Hendrickson, 1873, 1874; Robert Seabury, 1875-77; John R. Pettit, 1878; James B. Curly, 1879-81. The town poor farm is two miles northeast of Hemp- stead village, and consists of about 70 acres of tillable land, being the farm formerly owned by James P. Nichols. A large two-story frame house, with basement, was built in 1872, at a cost of $9,750. There are about thirty paupers kept there each year. The business is transacted by three overseers, who meet at the house regularly every two weeks. In the town of Hempstead are situated many summer seaside resorts, several of which are visited by large num- bers of people during the summer months. At the larger hotels, at Long Beach and Rockaway, a regular police force is on duty during the season. There are four justices of the peace, and places for holding court are prepared at Hempstead, Rockaway, Pearsalls, Freeport, and other places. A police force was organized in Hemp- stead village in 1877, consisting of a police justice and two regular officers until 1878, when only one regular officer was engaged. In the spring of 1880 the office of police justice and police constable was abolished by the Legislature. At present the trustees appoint one police- man. John Crampton has held tha position about seven years, being chief during the time of the regular organiza- tion. There are two night watchmen employed, con- stable George S. Eldred and T. B. Eldred. There is a substantial lock-up in the town hall at Hempstead vil- lage, and one under the court room at Far Rockaway. There are six election districts in Hempstead, as fol- lows : First district, west of Hempstead village; second, Hempstead village; third, Baldwinsville, Christian Hook, and Rockville Centre; fourth, East Rockaway, Pearsalls, Woodsburgh, Far Rockaway; fifth, Valley Stream and a part of Foster's Meadow; sixth, Rockaway Beach. Stages and Railroads. Comparatively speaking, it is only a few years since railroad communications were opened between New York and Hempstead. Daily stages were run from Brooklyn to all parts of the island, and stages twice and thrice a week carried the mail to out of-the-way places. From the Long Island Telegraph, published at Hempstead in 1S30, we copy the following advertisement : " The Hempstead stage leaves the village of Hemp- stead, starting from the house of David Bedell, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning, at eight o'clock, and returns on Tuesday, Thursday and Satur- day; leaving the house of Coe S. Downing, Fulton street, Brooklyn, at precisely 2 o'clock p. M. Arrangement is made to carry passengers to and from Rockaway by the above line. " Curtis & Mervin, Proprietors." Similar notices appear in the same paper for a stage line from Flushing to Newtown, the South Oyster Bay stage, Jerusalem stage, Riverhead and Smithtown, Hun- tington, Norwich, Jericho and Oyster Bay and others. But the day of stage coaches on Long Island has passed away, and at present the business man of New York or Brooklyn after business hours takes a train which lands him at his home in Hempstead in an hour's ride. Rail- roads accommodate nearly every village or settlement in the town. The Central Railroad of Long Island, which now serves Hempstead village and vicinity, was opened in February 1871, the depot being being erected on Ful- ton street. John F. Townsend was the engineer who brought in the first passenger train, and George Sharp was conductor. The old South Side Railroad, the Mon- tauk division of the Long Island Railroad, extends to Sag Harbor, a distance of about 100 miles, and accom- modates all of the villages on the south side of Hemp- stead. Local Industries. Mills. — In 1844 William Oliver came to this country from England, and in 1854 he came to Hempstead, pur- chasing the ponds situated between Hempstead village and Rockville Centre. At that place, until the purchase of the ponds for the Brooklyn Water Works, was ertab- lished the Oliver Eagle Flour Mill, with office, salesroom and storehouse on Main street, Hempstead. W. F. Oliver INDUSTRIES OF HEMPSTEAD— WATER FOR BROOKLYN. purchased in 1877 what had been a paper-mill, a short distance from these ponds, and he does a general milling business. There are several flouring mills in the town. The grist-mill in the village of Hempstead is on Jackson street near the corner of Main. The building, which is three-story, was erected in 1857 by Samuel G.Smith and Thomas H. Clowes, and was ready for use in the fall of the same year. A wind-mill was first used for furnishing power, but, it not proving sufficient, a forty-horse-power steam engine was bought, which has since been in use. Mr. Smith has had charge of the mill since its erection. The Oyster Business. — An important industry of Hemp- stead, and one which is constantly growing, is the raising of oysters, which gives employment to a large number of people. The waters south of Hempstead are well adapted to the work, and during the last twenty years the busi- ness has grown to large proportions. At Freeport, Bald- wins, Christian Hook, East Rockaway, Pearsalls and other places large quantities are shipped annually to all parts of the country and to Europe. John B. Raynor, of Freeport, was one of the first to start in the business, about the year 1858. D. Pearsall, of Freeport, has been in the business since about i860. He ships to Europe annually about three hundred barrels of oysters, and about two thousand bushels to New York; and several other pro- ducers are disposing of a like amount. Among the large dealers at Baldwins are Lorenzo D. Smith and Green M. Southard, the last named gentleman supplying several of the large hotels and restaurants of New York. The work of raising the oyster and preparing it for market is very laborious. The young oyster or plant is purchased by the bushel and planted in beds in the bays, the per- mission to use the land under the public waters being purchased or hired by the acre from the town. The lands are staked out and as well known as are the farms scattered through the town. When large enough the oysters are caught and prepared for market at the various oyster houses scattered along the south side. Hempstead Florists. — Among other attractive places in Hempstead are the conservatories and nursery of George Rogers, 85 Franklin street. Established only about three years, this has already become one of the institutions of the village. Mr. Rogers, who has been in the business nearly thirty years, has built several hot-houses, which are properly provided with light and heat, and the tasty and careful manner in which they are managed and the increasing business attended to speak well for his ability. Besides the general variety of pot plants, trees, vines and shrubs, he appropriately designs cut flowers for parties, weddings and funerals. Besides supplying his custom- ers in Hempstead and vicinity, he ships a large quantity of early plants to the New York market. The West End greenhouses, on Franklin avenue, Far Rockaway, are owned by Joseph Marsden, who started the business in 1876, since which time his business has been steadily increasing, being mostly a home trade. He has the agency for evergreen and deciduous trees, flow- ering shrubs, fruit trees, etc., also a fine assortment of pot and bedding plants. His greenhouses are 30 by 65 feet, and are one of the attractions of Far Rockaway. Situated about five miles from Hempstead village, at Smithville South, are the greenhouses of R. P. Jeffrey & Son, nurserymen and florists. R. P. Jeffrey is a native of England. About 1870 his son, William F. Jeffrey, established the business on a small scale, since which time it has been steadily increasing. At the present time they have four houses, about 45 by 20. They make specialties of young evergreens, ornamental and fruit trees, and in the greenhouses of growing carnations for the New York cut flower trade; also hybridizing carna- tion flowers for seedlings. This firm supplies the Long Beach Improvement Company with many fine plants. It has taken premiums at the county fair for landscape gardening. An attractive and lucrative business has been estab- lished in the village of Pearsalls by R. E. & J. C. Sealy, who built hot-houses and commenced business as florists about 1875. By hard work their enterprise has been made successful, and six houses, 15 by 60 feet in dimen- sions, are now filled with every variety of flowers and plants. The houses are well kept, and the proprietors employ four men to assist them in preparing and ship- ping the plants and flowers to the New York- market. Brooklyn Water Works. Situated in Hempstead, and covering a large tract of land, are the ponds supplying the Brooklyn city water works. Clear Stream pond, two acres, was pur- chased October 6th, 1858; price, $1,310. Valley Stream pond, twenty-three acres, was purchased May 14th 1858; price, $13,000. Pine's pond, fifteen and a half acres, was purchased March 3d 1858; price $6,000. Hempstead pond, twenty-six and a half acres, was purchased Novem- ber 12th 1850; price, $12,000. Smith's pond was pur- chased May 14th 1853; price, $11,500. The water from the last pond is below the level of the conduit line, and near Rockville Centre a pumping station was erected, where the water is pumped into the conduit. The water from all other sources in the town flows into the conduit. The storage reservoir is situated south of the village of Hempstead, and was originally three mill ponds on the same stream, viz.: those of Nicoll's grist- mill, Oliver's paper-mill and De Mott's grist- mill. The grounds of the storage reservoir are 557 acres, purchased at a cost of $110,982. The water surface when full is 253 acres. The total cost of the reservoir was $1,400,000. It is not completed according to the original plan. Owing to litigation between the city and the contractors, Keeny which are owned by men of wealth, who lavish money in beautifying the buildings and grounds. The Lawrence depot is about midway between the village and Westville, or North AVest Point, another beautiful little settlement. James Harris has been the station agent since the building of the railroad. Christian Hook {Oceanville). — This settlement, although not a village, has been frequently referred to in the his- tory of Queens county. It occupies a considerable por- tion of Hempstead, bordering on the bay, and contains many fine farms. A Presbyterian chapel has been built, by members of the Hempstead church. Rev. Marcus Burr is the pastor. A large school building is situated near it. There are three stores proper, viz., Lorenzo Davison's, Ceorge H. Soper's and Stephen Rider's. A large proportion of the inhabitants " follow the bay." Among the principal farmers and residents are the Pettits, Sopers, Joseph Brovver, Z. Story (one of the oldest men on the island) and Conways. Since 1826 Ira Pettit has lived on his present farm, a fine one, commanding a beau- tiful view seaward. His father, James Pettit, was born at Hicks Neck. Ira, the youngest son, was born in 1812. The farm was bought of the Rev. Seth Hart, in 1826. At that time it was called the Parsonage, which name it still retains. The old house is yet standing, but a new one was built in 1875. Baldwins. — This village is between Rockville Center and Freeport, on the Southern Railroad, twenty-one miles from Long Island City. In 1 850 it was a hamlet of a few houses, and its growth was not rapid until the completion of the Southern Railroad, about fifteen years later, since which the population has increased to nearly 1,500, scat- tered from the depot to the meadows bordering Hemp- stead Bay. The name of the village, which was formerly Baldwinsville, has been changed to Baldwins. It was de- rived from Francis B. Baldwin, in 1881 the treasurer of Queens county. Mr. Baldwin owns a large tract of land west of the village, which has been beautifully arranged for a home, and he has erected many buildings in the vil- lage. On his farm is a half-mile driving park, in 1881 under the management of Dr. A. F. Carpenter for the South Side Gentlemen's Driving Club. In the village are two Methodist churches, six stores, including that of Isaiah Thomas, general grocer; a well arranged hotel, conducted by Treadwell Jones; a pub- lic school building, a depot and a post office, the general sewing machine agency of E. S. Raynor & Brother, dealers in all kinds of sewing machines, and the car- riage shop of Hingle Brothers, near the hotel, established several years ago, besides other smaller shops, etc. A large number of fishermen and oystermen are located at this point, and their wares greatly add to the prosperity of the village. Bridgeport and Norwood, on the branch of the Southern Railroad from Valley Stream to Hempstead, were formerly stopping places for the accommodation of farmers in the vicinity. The road is not used at present, although the rails are yet in place and it is thought that it will again come into use. At Norwood station is the general store of Smith Du Bois, formerly kept by Valentine Wood, and there are several fine residences. The store has been es- tablished over forty years. Among the prominent resi- dents are Martin Wood, son of Valentine Wood; Ezekiel Frost, a farmer, born in 1816, and Smith Du Bois, the merchant. Mr. Frost attended school fifty years ago in one of the old log school-houses of Hempstead, situated on the road to Triming Square. There are many fine farms in the vicinity of these stations. Life-Saving Stations. — Along the Hempstead beaches are several United States life-saving stations, at which are stationed quite a number of men during the incle- ment seasons of the year. The stations are provided with boats and everything pertaining to the service, and the men employed are carefully chosen from those used to the sea and its dangers. During the winter and spring months they are constantly on duty, and many lives and much property have been saved by them. The buildings, while not large, are substantial, and are fitted up conven- iently for those employed. HEMPSTEAD VILLAGE— "CHRIST'S FIRST CHURCH." i73 HEMPSTEAD VILLAGE. This village, the largest in the town and the oldest in the county, as well as one of the most populous, is sit- uated about twenty miles east of New York city, which is easily reached by rail or turnpike. The village con- tains the residences of many New York families, who spend the summer mouths here, preferring the ocean breeze and the country comforts to the heat and dust of the city. The streets are beautifully laid out and cared for, many of them comparing favorably with avenues in larger places, and the roads leading to neighboring vil- lages in the town are, when in good condition, the scene of many pleasure trips, winding as they do amid beautiful farms and attractive villas. A number of the streets were named in 1834, among them Fulton street. Others are Main, Front, Greenwich, Jackson, Franklin, Orchard, Prospect, Washington, Clinton and High, and numerous avenues, the principal business streets being those first mentioned. Among the public buildings are five churches, two halls, two school buildings, two large buildings used for the fire department, the railroad station and six hotels, besides numerous boarding houses. Some of these, with the more important business firms, are noticed hereafter. There are two newspapers, the Inquirer and Sentinel. The village is lighted with gas. Several srnall sheets of water and parks add to its beauty. The growth of Hempstead during the last quarter of a century has been rapid, and it is safe to surmise that the next twenty years will see it double its present size, and virtually make Hempstead village and Garden City one. The following were the officers of the village elected on Tuesday March 1st t88i: Trustees — E. Kellum, B. F. Rushmore, Samuel H. Minshull, William M. Akley, Richard Brower; clerk, Scott Van De Water jr. ; treas- urer, B. Valentine Clowes; collector, John B. Mersereau; street commissioner, Charles Noon; fire wardens — Moses R. Smith, William E. Carman, Horace F. Denton. E. Kellum was chosen chairman of the board of trustees. THE HEMPSTEAD CHURCHES. "Christ's First Church (Presbyterian)." The history of the above named church dates back to the first settlement on Long Island and, as the name implies, probably to the establishment of the first Pres- byterian church in America. The writer of this sketch, after careful research, -not accepting the written reports for the sixteenth century without carefully studying the records and comparing the same, believes the following to be as nearly correct as possible, although there are periods of which no trace can be discovered. Many facts have been gleaned from a carefully prepared discourse by the Rev. Sylvester Woodbridge, pastor of the church from 1838 to 1848, who in writing his evidently carefully prepared manu- script had recourse to everything pertaining to the early history of the church, as well as many historical remin- iscences chronicled only in the memory of those ad- vanced in life, who have since passed away. "Among those who emigrated to America was the Rev. Richard Denton, a Presbyterian minister of Coly Chapel, parish of Halifax, in the northern part of England. ' He was,' says the Rev. O. Hayward, ' a good minister of Jesus Christ, and affluent in his worldly circumstances. * * * In his time came out the book for sports on the Sabbath days. He saw he could not do what was required, feared further persecution and therefore took the opportunity of going into New England.' Mr. Den- ton came to Watertown, Mass., A. D. 1634; removed to Wethersfield, Conn., in 1635, to Stamford in 1641, and in 1644 came to Hempstead." From Mr. Denton's known views the friends of Pres- byterianism reach the conclusion that the church was Presbyterian, and from the fact that the first church was called " Christ's First Church " it is supposed by many that this was the earliest Presbyterian church in America. " The first meeting-house was erected in 1648. It stood near the pond, in the northwest part of the village, and was surrounded by or at least connected with a fort or stockade." " It may be proper to observe that at this time the most intimate connection existed between church and State in all Christian countries. In towns which, like Hempstead, were Presbyterian (that is, which chose their own officers) this was particularly the case. The same persons con- stituted ' the church ' and ' the town,' and elected the two boards of magistrates and elders, who were often the same individuals." In the year 1658-9 the Rev. Mr. Denton returned to England, and immediately thereafter the congregation sent Joseph Meade to procure a pastor. In -this he was unsuccessful, but during the year 1662 the services of Rev. Mr. Fordham were obtained." From 1658 to 1682 the congregation was destitute of a settled minister, although it is probable the people assembled for wor- ship. The old meeting-house being out of repair, at a general town meeting held January 7th 1677 it was agreed to erect a new building, and in 1678 a house was built a few yards west of the present Episcopal church. It was to be " 30 feet long and 24 wide and 12 feet stud, with a lentwoon Ech side." In 1734 it was taken down and another erected on the same site. The first parson- age was erected in 1682, when the Rev. Jeremy Hub- ard was called to be minister, a position which he filled until 1696. It is thought that the controversy which took place between the Presbyterians and Episcopalians about this time, and the course taken by the governor, were the cause of the removal of Mr. Hubard from Hempstead. From this time for about twenty years, Rev. John Thomas, a clergyman who had received Episcopal ordi- nation, but who dispensed with some of the usages of the Church of England, preached acceptably to the people. He died in 1724, after which came the formation of the Episcopal society, and a general receding by many of the older Presbyterians. 174 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. Of this Mr. Woodhridge says: " Many members of the congregation entirely deserted all religious meetings, and the church, reduced to a mere handful, for a time was threatened with extinction. When at length it became certain that they could not obtain their property without resorting to a suit at law, they rallied around the elders and for a time held religious meetings at each other's houses." In 1762, thirty-eight years after the seizure of the church property, a small edifice was erected near the site of the present church. Soon afterward the Rev. Abra- ham Keteltas supplied the congregation, which rapidly increased until the Revolutionary war, when it received a check. The church was used by the British as a stable, but was repaired after the war. It was destroyed by fire in 1803. For a time it again appeared as if the society would become extinct. " The number of mem- bers of the church did not exceed fifteen or twenty, and even to the elders it seemed impossible that the congre- gation could continue to exist." They received aid from many unexpected quarters, and the same year were enabled to erect a house of worship, and March 1 6th 1818 Rev. Charles Webster was installed as pastor, after the church had been without a pastor one hundred and twenty-two years. Since that time the church has steadily advanced, and its history can easily be traced. The following is a list of ministers since the organization in 1644, with the date of beginning and the length uf their service: 1644, Richard Denton, 15 years; 1659, Jonas Ford- ham, 22; 1682, Jeremiah Hubard, 14; 1 7 1 7, Joseph Lamb, 7; 1736, Benjamin Woolsey, 20; 1760, Abraham Keteltas, 5 or 6: 1770, Mr. Hotchkiss, 1; 1772, Joshua Hart, 4; 1787, Joshua Hart, 3; 1791, Mr. Sturgiss, 2; 1794, Mr. Davenport, 2; 1797, Joshua Hart, 6; 1805, William P. Kuvpers, 5; 1812, Josiah Andrews, 1; 1816, Samuel Robertson, 1; 1818, Charles Webster, 19; 1838, Sylvester Woodbridge, 10; 1849, Charles W. Shields, r; 1850, N. C. Locke, 10; i860, J. J. A. Morgan, 7; 1867, James B. Finch, 7; 1875, Franklin Noble, 5^. The Sunday-school has about 175 scholars, 25 officers and teachers, and 400 books in the library. The following probably constituted the earliest board of elders: Rev. Richard Denton, Robert Ashman, Wil- liam Washburne, Richard Gildersleeve, John Hicks, Mr. Kirkeline. The following is a partial list of elders who have served at different times during the last half century: David Hendrickson, William R. Finney, Eldred Piatt, John Sealey, James Pine, Robert White, Lefferts Bergen, Charles M. Pine, David Sealey, Reuben Pine, A. S. Gardner, Adrian V. Cortileyou, Dr. John Davidson, Cor- nelius Hendrickson, Albert W. Hendrickson, Henry Higbe, Edwin A. Weeks, Ebenezer Kellum, Richard E. Losea, George W. Rapelye, Elias C. Everitt and Luke Fleet. At a meeting held October 3d 1844 it was resolved to erect a new church, and during the same year a branch church was organized at Oyster Bay. The cost of the new church at Hempstead, which was completed in 1846, was $6,017.25. The old parsonage on the east side of Main street was sold for $1,150, and the site of the parsonage on Fulton street was purchased for $317.10; the old church was removed to the lot and rebui't for a parson- age at an expense of $2,441.86. The present lecture and Sunday-school room was built in 1855 and was ded- icated February 7th 1856. Christian Hook was so named because the glebe or parsonage lands of this church were situated there. Branches of this church have been established at Freeport and Glen Cove, and the Presbyterian church at Jamaica is said to be an offshoot from the Hempstead ch u rch. A. M. E. Zion Church. This church is situated on Cross street, near Front. The society was organized in 1848; the site of the edifice was bought of E. Willets, December 6th 1848, and about the same time an old school-house was purchased and removed to the land, where it was made into the present church. At present there are about thirty members, and there is preaching every Sundayand Sunday-school in the afternoon. The society is free of debt. Benjamin Evans, a son of John Evans, who is one of the oldest residents, is president of the board of trustees, treasurer and class leader. The following have been some of the preachers: Revs. George Treadwell, Peter Corster, Mr. Davis, James Lowery, Mr. Williams, John Seaman, Mr. Cliff, James Landon, John J. Stewart, Thomas C. John- son, Adam Jackson, Charles W. Robinson and S. C, Burchmore. The first trustees were Elijah Horton, William B. Corse and Benjamin Evans. Church of our Lady of Loretta. This society was formed about ten years ago, when the land on Greenwich street, the site of the church property, was purchased, together with a building which has since been moved back to make room for the new church, which was built a short time afterward. The parson- age was already built, having been occupied as a private residence. The lot is about 100 feet by 600. The church is of the gothic style of architecture, about 45 by 85 feet, with sacristy of 16 feet in the rear. The church is nicely seated, lighted and heated, and has a small organ in the gallery. The entire cost has been about $13,000. Rev. Eugene McSherrey was the first pastor, and died at his post in the summer of 1879. He was succeeded by Rev. P. Kearney, under whose pastorate the church is growing in numbers and prosperity. Some of the prom- inent members are Michael Mulganr.on, Nicholas Gibney, John Brein, John Hogan, John Mulgannon, Senator Fox, Michael Fox, Owen Riley, James and Barney Powers, Patrick Burns and Michael Nolan. St. George's P. E. Church. In 1702 representations were made by the Rev. George Keith, Colonel Heathcote and others, to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts — founded in London in 1701 — that a Church of England minister was ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, HEMPSTEAD. #1§1#M ©HWliH, M1SP111 4®, 1, 1. Built, 1733. Opened, April 22, 1735, by Gov. Cosby, Taken Down, 1821. New Edifice Erected, 1822. N W 2,3*4 jjf^v much desired by many of the inhabitants of Bfl Hempstead. On these representations the Rev. John Thomas was sent as a missionary here, who had approved himself while assist- ing the Rev. Evan Evans of Christ Church, Philadelphia. Mr. Thomas was inducted into the parish by a mandate from Lord Cornbury, governor of the province. There were a few influential persons ready to greet Mr. Thomas and unite themselves into a parish. The number of English-speaking people, however, was not large. The Dutch predominated. Mr. Thomas found here a church building of moderate dimensions and a house for the minister — both of them built by the town and owned by it. The church was but poorly adapted for religious purposes, and was ar- ranged to be used by the town tor civil purposes on week days. Neither of the build- ings was used by any religious society at Mr. Thomas's coming, the person who had officiated here — the Rev. Jeremy Hobart — having removed from Hempstead some time previous. The Rev. Mr. Thomas by his judi- cious and kindly manner did much to as- suage the strong prejudice which was felt by the inhabitants (who had been reared as Quakers and Presbyterians) and which some- times manifested itself in acts of violence. Mr. Thomas continued his ministry here until his death, in 1724 — a period of 20 years. Major- General Thomas Thomas, of the Continental army, was a grandson of the Rev. John Thomas. After an interval of two years the vacancy caused by the death of the Rev. Mr. Thomas was filled by the ap- pointment to the parish of the Rev. Robert Jenney, a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, who had for some years been officiating as the missionary at Rye, Westchester county. Under his exertions the parish continued to prosper. He saw the time had come to have the parish placed upon an independent and stable foundation, and being a man of much personal influence and enterprise he achieved his purpose. By a vote of the freeholders of the town he obtained a transfer of the church and parsonage and glebe to the parish, and the release was followed and confirmed to the parish by a charter from George II., granted in 1735. This charter Groun d J^/a n o/J^/c/_ C 7//nr/i . 1. Communio// Table. 2,3 &4. Pulpit, Reading and Clears Desk. 5. South JJoor. b- Tower A West Door. Corporate Seal of St. Oeohoe's Ciu'rcii, I7X> HISTORY Of QUEENS COUNTY. is still in full force as the organic law of the parish, and in this respect is, it is be- lieved, a single exception to the many charters granted by the royal government. Its authority was confirmed by the consti- tution of the State of New York adopted in 1777. It has never been submitted to the Legislature for alteration or amend- ment; even the title — "The Inhabitants of Hempstead in Communion with the Church of England " — remains unaltered. While other chartered parishes have petitioned to have changes made St. George's has found the provisions of its charter adapted to all the exigencies which have arisen. The old church which had been given by the town was found inconvenient and too small, and it was removed and another built — not by tax, as the former one, but by the gifts of members of the parish. It was opened, with a display of the military of the county and much ceremony, by Governor Cosby, attended by many of the distinguished citizens of the province, on St. George's day, April 22nd 1735. A cut of it is given on the preceding page. Mr. Jenney remained in Hempstead 17 years, removed to Philadelphia in 1742 and became rector of Christ Church. From the University of Pennsylvania — then the " College of Philadelphia " — he received the degree of LL. D. To him succeeded the Rev. Samuel Seabury — a descendant of John Alden, one of the original settlers at Plymouth, Mass. Mr. Seabury was educated at Yale College, but left it for Harvard in consequence of the excitement attendant on its president and others becoming Episcopalians. Mr. Seabury himself changed his views, and after ordination in 1730 by the Bishop of London and his return to this country he became minister of St. James's Church, New London, Conn., and from thence removed to Hempstead. At the time of his removal his son Samuel was a lad 13 years old. He subsequently became renowned as the first bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in North America, and one who ex- erted a great influence in determining its career. The parish of Hempstead by an act of Legislature in 1693 embraced all the territory of Queens county east of Jamaica township. This territory of nearly 20 miles square the Rev. Mr. Seabury did his best to care for. He held services regularly in Oyster Bay and other villages besides Hempstead, and could not refuse appli- cations from Huntington and even many destitute places in Dutchess county. A remarkably vigorous frame aided him in fulfilling his duties, which involved almost con- tinuous riding on horseback, as roads were few and car- riages were hardly used. The people of this parish — though many of them were thriving farmers and well-to- Rev. Thomas Lambert Moore ; Died 1709. do in the world — were not liberal ; and Mr. Seabury, in order to obtain a support, was obliged to add to his care of all the churches the keeping of a classical school. In it were educated some of the most distinguished citizens of New York State. A classical school was ac- quiesced in by the people of the parish as a means for their rector's support for the succeeding sixty years. Mr. Seabury died in 1764. To him succeeded, after a space of two years, the Rev. Leonard Cutting, the progenitor of the family of that name in this State. He was educated at Cambridge, England. Seeking to benefit his fortune he emigrated to America and accepted the position of overseer of a plantation in Virginia. While so engaged he was recog- nized by a clergyman of the Church of England, for- merly a fellow student at Cambridge. By the kindly ex- ertions of this clergyman he obtained a position more suitable for his attainments and abilities; that of tutor in the classics in Kings (now Columbia) College, New York city, which had been established in 1754. In this position he remained until 1763, when he returned to England an applicant for holy orders; and, his papers being found eminently satisfactory, he was ordained by the bishop of London in December 1763 a deacon, and some time afterward a priest. He returned to this ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH AND RECTORY. 177 St. George's Church Rectory; Built 1793. country in 1764 and was for nearly two years missionary at New Brunswick, N. J. From thence he was trans- ferred to Hempstead. His career was peaceful until the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, when he was sub- jected to some of the trials of that stormy period. Yet he escaped better than many others, because the people of his parish were almost all tories and a British force was on the ground nearly all the time. But he found, like many other loyalists, that the British soldier did not carefully discriminate between friend and foe. More than once the rector and his vestry had to complain of out- rages commited. When, at length, the arms of the Con- tinental army prevailed, and the independence of the States was acknowledged, Mr. Cutting found himself in so St. Geokqb's Episcopal Church, Hempstead; consecrated Skptkmiier Wi n is^M. ■ 7 8 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. embarrassing a position that he left the parish without formally resigning the rectorship. He retired to Mary- land, and subsequently officiated at Newbern, N. C. In 1792 he returned to New York city, where he died in 1794. The sundering of the civil and ecclesiastical re- lations of St. George's parish with the English govern- ment and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel presented some new questions for solution. The provis- ions of the charter were, however, found sufficient in this crisis, and the vestry of that period wisely followed their direction, with some slight deviations attributable to the novelty of their position and their lack of exper- ience. They called the Rev. Thomas Lambert Moore to fill the vacancy which Mr. Cutting's retirement had created. Mr. Moore was a native of New York city. He had been ordained in England in 1781 by Bishop Lowth, and had remained in England until, by the kindly influence of the Hon. Edmund Burke, he obtained appointment as chap- lain to a British frigate, in which he sailed first for Hal- ifax, and arrived in New York in 1782. He was officiat- ing as missionary at Islip, Suffolk county, when he was called to Hempstead. During his rectorship the first steps were taken to organize the Episcopal church in the several United States into one body, and Mr. Moore was one of the thirteen persons who took part in the initiative measures. Under his ministrations the parish greatly prospered. The prayer book which had been used in the church since 171 1 and was a gift from Queen Anne, as was the communion set still in use, required some changes after the close of the Revolutionary war; such as the substitution of prayers for the President and Con- gress for those for the King and royal family and for Parliament. These changes Mr. Moore made by writing out the new prayers and pasting them over the discon- tinued ones. The book has thus been made a significant relic. The first ordination in the State of New York took place in this parish, in November 1785, in the person of Mr. John Lowe, from Yirginia. In 1793 the house which the town hid built in 1683 for a minister's resi- dence, being dilapidated, was taken down and the present parsonage built. Mr. Moore died in 1799. He was succeeded by the Rev. John Henry Hobart, who remained but a few months, having accepted a call to be an assistant minister in Trinity Church, New York, from which position he was elevated to the office of bishop of New York. On the resignation of Mr. Hobart a call to the rector- ship was accepted by the Rev. Seth Hart, a native of Connecticut. His rectorship continued till 1829, a period of more than twenty-eight years, when he became dis- abled by paralysis from performing his duties and resigned his office. He lingered in infirmity until March 1832. During his rectorship the church built in 1734, which had become decayed, was taken down and the present church was built, which was consecrated in September 1823. The Rev. Richard Drason Hall, a native of Philadel- phia, succeeded Mr. Hart. He was called in February 1829, and resigned in April 1834, and removed to the neighborhood of his native city, where he officiated in several places and died in 1873. The successor to Mr. Hall was the Rev. William M. Carmichael, D. D., who entered upon his duties in July 1834 and resigned the parish in September 1843. He subsequently ministered in Meadville, Pa., Richmond, Va., Newtown, Conn., and other places. At his resi- dence in Jamaica, Long Island — where he lived in the closing years of his life — he was stricken with paralysis and died in June 1881. The Rev. Orlando Harriman jr. became rector of the parish in January 1844, continued until June 1849, and then resigned. He removed to New Jersey, officiating as his strength and opportunities allowed until May 1 88 1 , when he died in Florida, whither he had gone for his health. Rev. William H. Moore, D. D., Kector of St. George's Church. In August 1849 a call to the rectorship was given to^ and accepted by, the present rector, the Rev. William H. Moore, D. D. In the course of years the following named parishes have been organized and churches built within the limits which, by the act of 1693, were designated as the bounds of the original parish : Christ Church, Manhasset; Christ Church, Oyster Bay; St. Paul's Church, Glen Cove; Trinity Church, Rockaway; Grace Church, South Oyster Bay, and Trinity Church, Roslyn. Besides these, at Garden City the Cathedral of the Incarnation and educational institutions are in process of erection as memorials of Mr. Alexander Turney Stewart. THE M. E. CHURCH OF HEMPSTEAD VILLAGE. r 79 Methodist Episcopal Church. From a historical sermon preached by the pastor, Rev. C. E. Glover, in 1877, we gather the following facts re- lating to the Methodist Episcopal church of Hempstead village: The first wave of Methodism reached Hempstead about the year 1800, when Rev. John Wilson, a preacher on the Jamaica circuit and traveling eastward, arrived in Hempstead on a Sabbath morning, near the close of the Episcopal public service. He mounted a wagon under a willow tree in front of the site of Hewlett's Hotel, where he commenced singing. A crowd soon collected, to whom he preached. From that time for a period of twelve years no record appears, although the Jamaica circuit was worked by such men as Thomas Ware, " Billy" Hibbard and David Buck, and it is probable that services were held during that time. In 1812 William Thatcher was appointed to the cir- cuit, and arranged to preach in Hempstead every four weeks. The first sermon was preached in an upper room in the house of Stephen C. Bedell, on Main and Jackson streets, by Mr. Thatcher, who was an excellent scholar. He died at the age of 89 years, after having been in the ministry about 60 years. The work was somewhat inter- rupted during the war with England. The first prayer meeting recorded was held at the house of Mr. Bedell in 1 8 15, and the first class was formed in the same year by Benjamin Griffin, who was then twenty-three years old. Mr. Griffin spent fifty years in the ministry. He was succeeded as leader by Richard Carman, whose name first appears officially in the conference proceedings as report- ing $8.78 from Hempstead for the support of the gospel. The original members of the first class were Richard Carman, Ann Carman, Stephen C. Bedell, Hannah Bedell, James Cooper and Mary Cooper. During the year 1816 the congregation rented a house standing on Front street at the corner of Franklin; the partitions were removed, and seats, made of slabs fur- nished from a neighboring saw-mill, arranged. The preachers were Thomas Ware and Marvin Richardson. In 181 7, more room being needed, a school-house was purchased and moved to the common near the brook, south of the Episcopal property, and fitted up with pul- pit and seats. Dr. Phebus, John M. Smith, Phineas Rice, Nicholas Morris, Noble W. Thomas and Samuel Cochrane were the preachers there. In 1820 the society erected an edifice on the site of the present church, which cost them, including lot, $1,500. It was dedicated December 31st 1822. Samuel Coch- rane, who rendered 38 years of effective service as a min- ister, greatly assisted in the work of building the new church. The first trustees were elected May 4th 1822, and were as follows: James Cooper, Isaac Wright, Ste- phen H. Skidmore, Ric hard Carman and Stephen C. Bedell. Stephen C. Snedeker was appointed treas- urer. In 1827 Hempstead circuit was formed. In 182S Isaac Snedeker was elected trustee and secretary of the board, 23 a position which he held over 50 years, until the time of his death. In 1834 a lot adjoining the church was purchased, on which a parsonage was erected. The cost of lot and parsonage was $1,400. In 1835 the church was moved back to the proper building line and enlarged, at a cost of $[,700. In 1838 the basement was furnished with four class rooms and a lecture room. The first stewards were chosen July 31st 1837, as follows: Benjamin Rush- more, Christian, Stephen C. and Isaac Snedeker and Smith Skidmore. Instrumental music was introduced March 29th 1852, and in 1872 the church was pre- sented with a beautiful organ, the gift of P. J. A. Harper. The centennial of American and semi-centennial of Hempstead Methodism were appropriately celebrated, November 25th 1866. At this time $10,000 was raised for centenary and church extension purposes. As a re- sult of this offering the present Sunday-school home was erected at a cost of $6,958; it was dedicated July 19th 1868. The Sunday-school was organized August 30th 1830, when Stephen C. Snedeker was appointed superin- tendent, a position which he filled to the time of his death, 30 years later. Isaac Snedeker was appointed secretary, treasurer and librarian at the same time, and has filled the position for over 50 years. From 12 teach- ers and an average attendance of 37 scholars the school has grown to be the largest on the island outside of Brooklyn, having an average attendance of over 400 members, and over 1,000 books in the library. In 1854 the old church and parsonage were sold at public auction, and the present commodious edifice was erected. In 1856 a lot 74^ by 200 feet was bought on Washington street and the present parsonage erected, at a cost of $3,896. The church edifice is 53 by 72 feet in size, and has a spire 160 feet high. There are class rooms and a lecture room adjoining. The total cost, in- cluding furnishing and bell, was $14,651. The new church was dedicated June 30th 1855, at which time the sum of $3,800 was raised, which left the church free from debt. In 1875 the parsonage was enlarged, and a large re- flector placed in the audience room of the church, at a total expense of $2,367. The following is a list of preachers from 1822 to 1880, inclusive: 1822, 1823, Elijah Hebbard, Horace Barttell; 1826, 1827, Daniel De Vinne, David Holmes, Barthol- omew Creagh; 1828, 1829, N. W. Thomas, Daniel Wright, Samuel Green; 1830, 1831, Jere Hunt, Gershom Pierce, Richard Wymond; 1832, 1833, Noah Bigelow, Alexander Hulin, Edward Oldrin; 1S34, 1835, Bradley Sellick, Robert Travis, Ezra Jagger; 1836, 1837, Joseph Law, James Floy; 1838, 1839, Ira Ferris; 1840, 1841, Laban C. Cheney; 1842-44, W. K. Stopford, Seymour Landen; 1845, 1846, E. E. Griswold; 1847, 1848, W. F. Collins; 1849, William Dixon, who died, and William Lawrence was supply; 1850-53, Buel Goodsell, S. W. Smith; 1 854, J. S. Gilder; 1856, Henry J. Fox; 1857, B. Pillsbury; 1859, i860, Francis Bo t tome; 1S61, 1S62, M. i8o HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. L. Scudder; 1863-65, J. B. Merwin; 1866, 1867, D. O. Ferris; 1868-70, George Stillman; 1871-73, George Lan- sing Taylor; 1874, B, M. Adams; 1875-77, C E. Glover; 1878-80, C E. Miller. The church property is valued at between $140,000 and and $50,000. The Press of Hempstead. The town of Hempstead has three newspapers, two in Hempstead village and one at Rockville Centre. The first paper started here was the Schoolmaster, edited by Timothy Clowes previous to 1850. Only a few numbers were published. Zephaniah Thurston, foreman in the Observer office, is probably one of the oldest printers, if not the oldest, in Queens county. The Sentinel was established June 1st 1858, by John H. Hentz, who was the publisher until September 1st 1863, when it was purchased by Lott Van De Water, the present editor and proprietor. Mr. Van De Water had been connected with the office two. years previous to purchasing it, and in fact has had control of the paper since 1861. The Sentinel is a thirty-two column sheet, nicely printed and carefully edited, the editor aiming to make it a journal for the family, in all that term implies. No advertisements of an objectionable nature are re- ceived, no matter what price is offered. The" office is on Main street, near Fulton. In politics the Sentinel is in- dependent, treating both parties fairly. The Hempstead Inquirer, published in the village of Hempstead, is one of the oldest papers on Long Island — the Corrector, of Sag Harbor, and the Republican Watch- man, of Greenport, both of Suffolk county, and the Long Island Farmer, of Jamaica, Queens county, being the only ones that antedate it. The Inquirer was established under the name of the Long Island Telegraph and Gen- eral Advertiser, on May 8th 1830, by Messrs. William Hutchinson and Clement F. Le Fevre. On November nth 1831 its name was changed to that it now bears. It continued to be conducted by its founder until April 1833, when it was transferred to James G. Watts. On the 23d of June 1834 Mr. Watts died, and the paper went into the hands of his son, who bore his father's name. He conducted it until May 1838, when he sold out to John W. Smith. Under Mr. Smith's supervision the paper was successfully edited for three years. In 1841 Charles Willets became the editor, having purchased the property and good will from his predecessor. He edited it eight years, and in 1849 disposed of it to Sea- man N. Snedeker, who sold it in 1851 to Dr. Morris Snedeker. For eleven years it continued under the doc- tor's management. In 1862 it was purchased by Jesse S. Pettit, who after a year's trial transferred it to Smith T. Willets in 1863. In 1866 Mr. Willets was succeeded by James B. Cooper, who in 1868 disposed of the con- cern to Thomas H. Rhodes and Daniel Clark. On the 1 6th of April 1869 Mr. Clark became the sole editor and proprietor, and he so continued until July 9th 1870, when impaired health compelled him to relinquish edi- torial duties. At that date the establishment was purchased by the Hon. Henry M. Onderdonk. Many improvements were made in the typographical appearance of the paper, which was enlarged and brought more prominently before the public. At this time ( 1 881 ) it continues to be edited by- Mr. Onderdonk, is in a flourishing condition, and is con- ceded to be a leading paper in Queens county. Public Houses and Halls. Nehemiah Sammis built one of the early taverns of Hempstead, a part of which is now standing on Fulton street, near the railroad depot. Alter his death in 1802 his son Benjamin Sammis continued as "mine host," and he was succeeded by Harry Sammis, who was born De- cember 23d 1797, and died in August 1881. His son, ex-Sheriff Charles Sammis, is the present proprietor of the old hostelry. Harry Sammis remembered distinctly when a barn burned on the hill south, about 80 rods dis- tant, one Sunday in the year 1802, the same year in which his grandfather died. The sparks and burning shingles were carried by the wind to the hotel and Presbyterian church east, which was also destroyed. At that time there were only six houses in Hempstead village, and only three buildings within a circle of a mile, viz., the hotel, the church on the east and a farm house west. During the Revolutionary war the British were encamped in Hempstead, at that time making a horse stable of the old Presbyterian church, using the hotel as headquarters for the officers. After the war General George Washing- ton passed several nights in the old tavern. Hewlett's Hotel, on Front street at the corner of Main, was built by Samuel Carman in 1840. It is a large, three- story building, well arranged and furnished for the ac- commodation of guests, and during the summer season is well filled with visitors. Up to 1847 it was conducted by the builder; but during that year came into the pos- session of Stephen Hewlett, whose family have conducted it until this time. C. A. Hewlett is the present propri- etor. The Germania Hotel, on Main street, was established about twenty years ago by William Stoffel. The present proprietor, Anton Miltenberger, has been the owner for the last eight years, and has made it a pleasant place, having recently furnished and refitted it It is the only German hotel in the village, and is a large three-story building, the lower floor being occupied with store and office. It will accommodate 20 guests and eight horses can be provided for. Billiard tables are provided, and charges are as at other first-class houses. The present Central Hotel was built in 1847, on the site of one of the early hotels of Hempstead, which was destroyed by fire in 1835. William Coons commenced building the present house, but died before it was com- pleted by his son Michael Coons. Among the land- lords were Benjamin Smith, Robert Anderson, Benjamin Curtis and A. Smith. John B. Pettit, the present propri- etor, purchased the property in 1854, and for the last SECRET SOCIETIES OF twenty-seven years has conducted the business. It is centrally located, on Main street, and is one of the lead- ing hotels of the village. The hotel which was destroyed by fire was, before railroads were known on the island, the "stage house," and consequently a well known place. There are two halls in Hempstead village used for town purposes and meetings, lectures and amusements. Liberty Hall is a large three-story building, with man- sard roof, situated on Front street. The first floor is di- vided into three stores. The second story is well ar- ranged for an amusement hall, having a fair sized stage with its attachments, and being well seated, accommodat- ing 450 people. The third story is also a hall, used for different purposes. Washington Hall, or the Town Hall, situated near Liberty Hall, was built by the Ladies' Washington Association, and purchased by the town au- thorities for village purposes. Aside from the larger rooms it contains the lock-up. Secret Societies. Alorion Lodge, No. 63, F. and A. AT. dates back to June 23d 1797, when a charter was granted, appointing David Richard Floyd Jones to be the master, Jacob Sea- man Jackson senior warden, and Thomas Carman junior warden of a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons to be formed at Hempstead. From that date communications were held in the lodge rooms in Hempstead for about half a century, when the building in which the rooms were situated was destroyed by fire, the charter, jewels, Bible, etc., being saved. The lodge was resuscitated in 1859, since which time stated communications have been held on the second and fourth Monday evenings of each month. The present number of active members is about ninety; and the lodge rooms are on the third floor of the Cornelius building on Main street; three in number, they are appropriately fitted up and furnished. A large fire- proof safe contains the records, the original charter, the old silver jewels, and the Bible, on the fly leaf of which is the following: " Presented to the worshipful master, wardens and brethren of Morton Lodge, No. 63, by their affectionate brother Jacob Morton, deputy grand master of masons of the State of New York. — New York, Jan. 8th 1798." The following is a list of officers for 1881: Master, Benjamin A. Haff; S. warden, Robert A. Davison; J. warden, Daniel Shields; treasurer, P. J. A. Harper; sec- retory, Ebenezer Kellum; S. deacon, John W. De Mott, of Alfred; J. deacon, Lewis H. Clowes; chaplain, Rev. C. C. Lasby; S. M. C, Henry Heutz; J. M. C, H. L. Weeks; tyler, John Crampton; trustees — Benjamin A. Haff, Samuel C. Seaman, B. Valentine Clowes. The masters since 1859 have been as follows: 1859, Daniel Raynor; i860, John Charlick; 1 86 1 , Carman Smith; 1862, 1865, 1866, I). A. M. Smith; 1863, A. R. Griffin; 1864, John W. De Mott; 1867-71, 1876, 1877, Samuel C. Seam an; 1872-74- 1880, 1881, Benjamin A. Haff; 1875, 1878, 1879, B. Valentine Clowes. Odd Fellows. — A charter was granted to Hempstead Lodge, No. 141, I. O. O. F. February 1 8th 1845, and it HEMPSTEAD VILLAGE. 181 was instituted March 5th 1845. The charter members were Willet Charlie, William Cornwell, Thomas S. Dor- Ion, Hiram A. Whittaker and William Curtis. Up to 1880 288 persons had signed the constitution of the lodge, and the present membership is about eighty-five. The lodge room, which is neatly carpeted and furnished, is on Front street and regular meetings are held every Thursday evening. The following are the officers: F. D. Bedell, N. G.; I. Horsfall, V. G.; V. Clowes, P.S.; A. R. Roads, R. S.; J. B. Curley, R. S. to N. G.; W. H. Haw- kins, L. S. to N. G.; Thomas Bact, R. S. to V. G.; S. F. Sprague, L. S. to V. G.; S. H. Minshull, War.; J. Ham- let, Con.; R. O. Gildersleeve, Chap.; J. A. Bedell, I. G.; W. B. Pettit, R. S. S.; J. Raynor, L. S. S.; J. R. Bedell, Treas. Sonsof Temperance. — This society was organized in Au- gust 1869, and has nicely furnished rooms over the post- office, at the corner of Main and Front streets, where regular meetings are held each Monday evening. Chris- topher Snedeker is W. P. and J. S. Snedeker is R. S. The following were the first officers of the organization: John Hammond, W. P.; R. C. Cam pell, W. A.; J. E. Snedeker, R. S.; Edward Searing, A. R. S.; Thomas Rhodes, F. S.; Thomas F. Gilbert, Treas.; E. L. Prey, chaplain; T. B. Hogan, conductor; J. F. Rhodes, assist- ant conductor; Samuel Snedeker, inside sentinel; James H. Campbell, outside sentinel. The Livingston Social Club. — This body of young men was organized March 27th 1877. The following were the officers in 1880: President, H. L. Parsons; vice-pres- ident, John Griffin; secretary, Henry Miltenberger; treasurer, Henry Agnew. The Fire Department. The first organization of which there are any data goes back to December 15th 183 1, when we find that the su- pervisor and justices appointed the following firemen: Charles Baldwin, Jarvis Bedell, Thomas D. Carman, Ja- cob Coles, Richard De Mott, Samuel E. Marvin, Samuel J. Raymond, Elbert Rushmore, Robert Seabury, Alex- ander W. Seaman, Joseph D. Gildersleeve, Joseph B. Gildersleeve, Stephen Hewlett, Nelson Jennings, John Kellum, Lattin Smith, Isaac Snedeker, Floyd Southard, James Stephenson and William Van Nostrand. Isaac Snedeker was chosen foreman of the company, and an old-fashioned fire engine, " No. 1," formerly "No. 4" in Brooklyn, was bought in that city. The engine house was on Main street, near the site of Nostrand's carriage manufactory; it has since been re- moved to the rear of the firemen's building on Ful- ton street, where the original fire apparatus of Hemp- stead may yet be seen. Several years after the forma- tion of the engine company a hook and ladder company was formed, the truck being made in the village. The rooms of the company were on Fulton street, nearly op- posite the Episcopal church. It was a volunteer com- pany. The water supply was obtained from private wells and cisterns. During the time of these companies a large fire took 1 82 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. place, destroying the block at the comer of Greenwich and Front streets, and causing a loss of several thousand dollars. By the exertions of the firemen the buildings west of Main street were saved. The burning of the Stage House was the next fire of any importance. At that time other buildings were saved through the efforts of the companies. June 23d 1862 Protection Fire Engine Company, No. 3, was organized; it was composed of many of the lead- ing citizens, some of whom are still members of the organization. Harper s Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, is a fine organization, with rooms on Fulton street. Enterprise Hose Company was organized August 14th 1872, and the following officers were elected: Foreman, Ebenezer Kellum jr.; assistant foreman, A. F. Rushmore; treasurer, S. B. Merscreau; secretary, J. Davison; stew- ard, T. W. Snedeker. Mr. Kellum was foreman five succeeding years. S. W. Willets was elected in 1878, B. Carpenter in 1879, and M. R. Smith in 1880, with other officers as follows: Assistant foreman, G. Lowden; sec- retary, G. W. Willets; treasurer, J. Simoson; stewards, E. Abrams and B. Carpenter. The company has two rooms in the building on Fulton street, the lower used for the carriage and the upper beautifully furnished for a parlor. Protection Hose Company, No. 3. — This company was organized August nth 1874. The following were the first officers: Foreman, Augustus Cruikshank; assistant foreman, John Mimno; secretary, "Benjamin Campbell; treasurer, Robert Cruikshank. During the years 1875- 79 John Mimno was foreman, when he resigned, and Charles Akley and John Box have since held that office until the following officers were elected: Foreman, Charles De Mott; assistant foreman, John Box; secre- tary, Charles Agnew; treasurer, William Plyer. The rooms of the company are on Prospect street, and, like others of the department, are nicely furnished. When first organized the company had no rooms, but held their meetings in Protection engine room. The present house was built in 1875, by P. J. A. Harper. There are other organizations, but data concerning them were not furnished. George N. Paff. George N. Paff, one of the prominent citizens of Hempstead, is a native of New York city, where he was born November 15th 1831. His father, George Paff, and his grandfather, Andrew Paff, were descendants of John Paff, of Wurtemburg, Germany. His mother was a daugh- ter of General Robert Henderson, a Scotchman, who was killed at Yorktown, Va., in the Revolutionary war. The family have been residents of Long Island since April 1836. During his early days the subject of this sketch was employed as a clerk, as an apprentice to a baker, as a daguerreotype operator and as a painter. After the usual course of the district school he was a student in the Hempstead Seminary, under Professor Dockarty, and in a private school under Timothy Clowes, D. D., LL. D. He is now working a fine farm of 50 acres near Hemp- stead village, which was settled in 1777 by Fliphalet Seaman. Before he became so exclusively engaged in farming he was interested in the mineral water business, and acted as real estate agent for some time. He has also traveled quite extensively in the west, and has been in business in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Dubuque, and was trading at one time with the Indians of Minnesota. Mr. Paff is a gentleman whose advice is not unfre- quently sought by his townsmen in business affairs, and even in litigations in the minor courts he has frequently appeared as an advocate. He has also been called to the duties of several offices of importance in his town. In i860 he was elected constable, and subsequently served as special deputy under several sheriffs. In 1877 he was elected commissioner of excise, and in 1880, at the expi- ration of the term, he was re-elected by 500 majority over George A. Mott, the Republican candidate. In the dis- charge of the responsible duties of this office Mr. Paff has exercised excellent judgment, and his administration has made him very popular with his constituents. Mr. Paff's first wife, to whom he was married in Au- gust 1861, was Charlotte Leonard, a granddaughter of Thomas Leonard, a captain in the Revolution. His father was John Leonard, of Freehold, N. J. — a brother of Judge Thomas Leonard, who gave all the lands for the site of Princeton College. Her mother was a daughter of Thomas Hewlett, of the old and honorable pioneer family. Mr. Paff's present wife, to whom he was mar- ried December 17th 1877, is Sarah A., a sister of Mrs. Paff deceased. Mr. Paff is a member of the Episcopal church, and in the community is esteemed as a worthy citizen, willing to aid his fellow men less fortunate than he. In the bus- iness relations of life he enjoys the reputation of a man of unquestioned integrity. Lewis W. Angevine. Mr. Angevine, of Hempstead, the gentleman whose portrait and autograph appear at the head of this page, was born in New York city, May 31st 1807. His early days were spent in the store of his father, Lewis Angevine, who was for years engaged in mercan- tile pursuits in the city. When he was about 19 years of age the younger Lewis came to Newtown, where, until 1831, he was engaged in farming. In that year he was married and removed to Hempstead, locating on a farm about two miles west of Hempstead village. For five years he resided there and in the meantime he purchased property in the village of Hempstead. In 1836 he began the business of butchering, and to that business he devoted a large portion of his active years until he finally retired, about 1862. Mr. Angevine came into politics in 1851 as the Demo- cratic candidate for county treasurer. To this office he was triumphantly elected, and how well he discharged his duties was sufficiently commented upon at the polls in 1857, when he was again elected to the same office. This election was the beginning of nine consecutive years of service in that position, he being re-elected in i860 and 1863. This period, extending to and including 1866, covered that important time when such large sums of money were raised by Queens county in the prosecution of the civil war. Mr. Angevine's period of service in this office was therefore not only longer than that of any other incumbent, but the duties were more important than ever before or since. In the business ventures of his lifetime Mr. Angevine has been successful beyond the lot of most men, and here, in the town where he has lived for over half a cen- tury, he is enjoying in his pleasant home the afternoon of his years, respected by all who know him. A com- munity is usually correct in its judgment of the moral qualities of any man who has long lived and held pub- lic trusts in it. If there be any defect in his character, any obliquity in his life, he cannot fail to disclose it to the eyes of his intimates. To be strictly upright, especially to those beset by the temptations of power and office, is a thing so difficult that the poet felt justified in affirming "An honest man's the noblest work of Clod." Mr. Angevine would not shrink from the application of even this severe rule of judgment. He has had a just pride in seeking to have all feel that his word was as good as a bond. When, during the war of the Rebellion, it fell to him to disburse immense sums of money, he came forth from the trials and temptations incident to the unusual trust with the verdict of the supervising officials that he had lawfully and appropriately expended every dollar. Of a kindly and benevolent spirit, widows and orphans have gladly resorted to him as one in whose integrity, caution and wise counsel they could securely trust. Public spirited and generous, all sound enterprises have met from him a prompt and hearty support. As a member of the Protestant Episcopal church he has befriended its clergy and contributed freely to all judicious efforts to benefit the parish to which he be- longs. HISTORY OF QUERNS COUNTY. Edwin Whims, M. fo. Doctor Edwin Webb, of Hempstead, is an eminent physician, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, and whose honorable record is as follows: He was born in Devenport, Devonshire, England, September 2nd 1804. His father and mother, John and Catherine Webb, came to New York before he was three years old, and soon after his arrival his father was appointed chief clerk of the Brooklyn navy yard, which position he filled for sev- eral years. He resided a few years in the upper part of the city of New York, convenient to his place of business. During this time young Edwin was taught the rudiments of his education privately, and about the age of 9 or 10 years was sent to the academy of the Rev. Mr. Johnson, in the upper part of Broome street, New York. Here he continued his studies until his father moved to Brooklyn, where he was again taught privately. He commenced the study of medicine with Drs. Ball and Wendell, who were in partnership and were then the principal physicians of Brooklyn. After being with these distinguished men for three years, and attending each year a course of lectures in the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons in New York city, he left their pre- ceptorship, and entered the office of John W. Francis, professor of obstetrics in the college he first attended. After completing his full course of lectures and term of study, he graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York in the year 1825, and received his diploma, conferring the degree of Doctor of Medicine. While studying with Drs. Ball and Wendell he became acquainted and was a fellow student with Dr. E. C. Cooper, youngest brother of Peter Cooper, the distin- guished and venerable philanthropist of New York. Dr. Cooper entered the office of Dr. Francis and graduated a year previous to Dr. Webb. It happened just after Dr. Webb was about to settle himself in business that Dr. Cooper had made arrangements to commence practice in the village of Hempstead; but an unforeseen and unex- pected obstacle prevented him, and it was at his instance and by his advice that Dr. Webb first entertained a thought of locating in Hempstead. After visiting Hemp-, stead and delivering letters of introduction from his pre- ceptors and some of the professors of the college to sev- eral of the leading gentlemen of the village he was pre- vailed upon by the Rev. Seth Hart, Rev. Charles Web- ster and others to make this village his place of residence, at least for a year or two. Here for over half a century has he constantly and almost incessantly attended to the duties of his profession, in which from the first he has enjoyed the confidence of a large circle of friends as a wise and skillful physician and surgeon. At an early period of his residence in the town he be- came prominent, and at a large meeting of the inhabi- tants in the year 1831, to make preparations for celebrat- ing the 4th of July, he was selected as the orator for the occasion. In those times this national birthday was celebrated with a hearty good will, and it is said that Dr. Webb performed his part with great credit. He was soon after this appointed physician to the county and town poor-houses and the county jail, and was chosen to other offices. From the history of the Queens County Medical Society we find that he was one of its original founders, of whom but few survive. He has held all the principal offices in that society, and was president four terms. As many as six of the largest life insurance companies in New York, Boston and Connect- icut appointed him medical examiner without any solici- tation on his part. He has been the medical preceptor of six students of medicine, all of whom received the de- gree of M. I)., except one, who was compelled to aban- don his studies. Dr. Webb received the appointment of delegate to the convention of the American Medical As- sociation several times, and attended their meetings at New Haven, Conn., and Philadelphia, and became a per- manent member of the association in i860. He was also appointed delegate to the New York State Medical Society's convention a number of times, and health offi- cer once for the village of Hempstead. He is now a warden of St. George's church, Hempstead, and has held that office as well as that of vestryman for many years. Dr. Webb was married to Miss Anna E., daughter of Dr. Josiah Hornblower, of Bergen, New Jersey, in the year 1829. They had ten children, of whom the eldest, Caroline H., and the youngest, Anna E., now the wife of Herbert M. Moore, are the only survivors. The oldest son, Edwin Web.b, adopted the medical profession in 1856, and graduated from the Medical Uni- versity of New York in the year i860. Immediately after passing his medical examination he was appointed assistant physician to the Raymond street hospital in Brooklyn, and shortly after (July 3d i860) died suddenly of peritonitis, having but a short time previous suffered from a malignant attack of diphtheria. He was much beloved by all who knew him, and gave rare promise of being an ornament to his profession. The youngest son, John S. Webb, chose the same pro- fession as his brother, and studied under his father's care, residing in the city of New York in the winter, near his preceptor, Dr. H. Sands, professor of anatomy in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, with whom he con- tinued two years. He graduated from his father's alma mater February 28th 1872. It was but a week or two after this that he again resumed his studies, to acquire a more perfect knowledge of relative anatomy, by dissec- tions in the college, alone, to enable him to become pro- ficient as a surgeon. Unfortunately during this time he was poisoned, through a slight wound in a finger, while examining a partially decomposed body. This injury proved to be extremely severe, and dangerous. Before he fully recovered from it he was tendered, and accepted, the appointment of assistant physician to the Kings County Hospital. His life, like that of his brother, came to an early end. On the 5th of March 1872, in the twenty-third year of his age, he died of a malignant fever, excited and aggravated by his arduous duties in the hospital. Thus these young and promising dis- EDWIN WEBB, M. D.— GARDEN CITY. 1 89 ciples of the healing art were cut down in the bloom of life, with every prospect of honor and success, by their ambition to be useful. It was some consolation, how- ever, to know that they were not unprepared, for they were both active members of St. George's church, in which they received their religious instruction. The commissioners and medical staff of the Kings County Hospital rendered every attention and respect to the young physician during his short illness, and soon after his death the commissioners of charities of Kings county passed the following resolutions, a copy of which was engrossed, elegantly framed, and sent to the family: W/tereas, It has pleased Almighty God, in His mys- terious providence, to take from our midst John S. Webb, M. D., by a sudden and unexpected death, from disease contracted while in the discharge of his duties at the Kings County Hospital, therefore "Resolved, That we heartily deplore the great misfor- tune that has thus cut short the career of one who had already given promise of great future usefulness, and by his talents, energy, and strict attention to duty had proven that his professional career could not be other- wise than eminently successful. "Resolved, That in our mourning for the departed we recognize and appreciate the deeper grief of those united to our deceased friend by the tenderest ties; and, while we would not intrude upon the privacy of their over- whelming sorrow, yet we would respectfully tender to them our most heartfelt sympathy in their bereave- ment, with the assurance that time shall not impair the memory of his manly virtues. "Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be en- grossed and forwarded to the family of the deceased." Dr. Webb has written and read several articles on medical subjects, one of which was published in the United Stales Medical and Surgical Journal, reporting an extraordinary case of hemorrhage, produced by the administration of ergot and arrested by injections of a solution of muriate of* soda, thrown into the placental vein. He took a very active part in the proceedings of the Queens County Medical Society, and attended the meetings of other medical societies as frequently as he could. After a long and extensive practice, over a large field, with more than he could attend to, he now seeks more rest, and devotes his attention to the less arduous task of medical consultations, with which he is frequent- ly favored as a result of his wide-spread reputation. GARDEN CITY. One of the numerous villages of Hempstead, or rather the laid out city of the town, and what will undoubtedly *in time become the center of attraction on Long Island, is Garden City, situated in the northern portion of Hemp- stead, on Hempstead Plains. On the 13th of September 1869 the town deeded to the millionaire A. T. Stewart 7,170 acres of land, for which he paid $55 per acre ($394.35°). Ity an act of the Legislature this money was invested for the support of the public schools and the poor of the town. Under the direction of John Kellum, the celebrated architect (now deceased), a resident of Hempstead and the agent of Mr. Stewart, surveys were made, roads were laid out and made, lots were laid out and fences were built around each block. Contracts were soon awarded for eleven fine houses, which were erected at a cost of nearly $17,000 each. The streets and roads were graded to the width of 80 feet, lines of trees were set out, and many improvements inaugurated. Mr. Kellum died July 24th 187 1, and the work was de- layed for some time. April ist 1874 W. R. Hinsdale was installed as manager, and he immediately commenced the work of improvement. In a short time nearly 5,000 acres of land were under cultivation. Garden City prop- er comprises 500 acres of land, divided into blocks. At the present time there are over two hundred houses erected, besides the large hotel, the cathedral, several stores, a barn and stable 118 feet long, with accommoda-. tions for 40 horses, a depot and a freight house 100 by 55, a large building in the rear of the depot for the of- fices of superintendent and surveyor D. S. Denton, and a water works building; and there are in progress of construction the Stewart memorial cathedral schools; St. Paul's school building, and a house for the bishop. The hotel is a five-story brick building, ornamented with marble, with imposing entrances, and spacious piaz- zas running its entire length. The interior of the build- ing, which is capable of accommodating 80 guests, is magnificently finished, everything being substantial. Each room contains hot and cold water, and the whole hotel is heated by steam furnished by pipes from the water works. The house is managed by F. E. Nicholson. Garden City is supplied with- water from a large well or reservoir nearly a mile north of the hotel. The well is 50 feet in diameter and 30 feet deep, and the water is forced through pipes to all parts of the city by the Holly system, which was established in 1876. In the large brick building erected for that purpose are the pumping machines and three 37 horse power boilers, which also furnish the steam for heating purposes. The machine, which is capable of pumping 2,500,000 gallons of water daily, at the time of writing pumped about 500,000 gallons every 24 hours. There are about seven miles of mains. It is in charge of three engineers, Messrs. H. Myers, J. Myers and John C. Miller. The gas used is made by the ''maxim process," and is confined in fire-proof vaults under ground. The steam for heating the hotel, church and many other buildings is carried in wrought iron pipes wrapped with asbestos paper and other nonconducting material, to prevent condensation. The pipes are in- serted in logs of wood and contrived so that there is no accumulation of water in any part of the main line. The steam passes into service pipes from the streets to build- ings, and by means of valve's the heat is properly reg- ulated. To show on what magnitude the superintendent is farming, we give a few figures prepared for a New York paper during the winter of 1 880-1 : " Of oats were raised 14,000 bushels, .of shelled corn 45,000 bushels, of hay 300 tons. He keeps 80 head of horses, and in the summer employs 450 men and eight steam engines. All of the 190 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. grain is trundled in tanks on wheels, and elevated by steam and distributed by gravity. He has more than 8,000 acres of soil, all of which will be speedily placed under cultivation." Thk Cathedral of the Incarnation. On the 28th of June 1877 Bishop Littlejohn laid the corner stone of this cathedral, one of the finest ecclesi- astical edifices in America, although not as large as some, and for architectural perfection comparing favorably with the best cathedrals in Europe. It is a gift to the diocese of Long Island by Mrs. A. T. Stewart, as a memorial of her deceased husband; to- gether with the see house, St. Paul's school for boys and St. Mary's for girls, and other institutions which are to be established on the cathedral foundation. With a suitable permanent fund provided for the maintenance of the cathedral, the services will always be free and the building and grounds kept in perfect order. The plan of the edifice is cruciform, with tower and spire, baptistery, organ apse, crypt and mausoleum. The style employed is decorated gothic of the thirteenth cen- tury, but the architect has given freshness and independ- ence to the treatment by adopting the foliage and flowers of this country, and following nature rather than the old and stiff conventional forms. Unusual beauty and grace are attained in this manner in all the carved work of the triforium, capitals, bosses and corbels, which fur- nish everywhere varied and pleasing subjects for study. The exterior is constructed of Bellville (New Jersey) stone, and the interior of Berlin (Ohio) stone, with the use of native and foreign marbles in the pavement, chan- cel steps, baptistery and mausoleum. The proportions of the building are admirable, the extreme length meas- uring 190 feet, the width of the transept including the porches 109 feet, and of the nave and aisles 52 feet. The choir and chancel are sixty feet deep, separated by marble steps, with the bishop's throne on th 2 north side and the dean's on the south. The tower, which is mon- umental in character, with bold buttresses, ornate gab- lets and pinnacles, is 124 feet high; and the delicately tapering spire, crocketed and surmounted by a large il- luminated cross of colored gems, is 97 feet, making the whole height 221 feet. In the upper stage of the tower is hung the chime of bells, 13 in number, exhibited at the Centennial exhibition in Philadelphia, from the noted McShane foundry in Baltimore. The spiret of the bap- tistery is beautiful in design and workmanship, with its flying buttresses and pierced belfry; and from the aisle walls also spring flying buttresses to the nave, giving lightness and elegance to the general effect of the exter- ior, while the cornices are enriched with gargoyles and pinnacles. The roof is slated, and finished at the apex with a bronze crest, bearing a crown ajt the junction of the nave and transepts, and a cross over the chancel. In the interior the work is equally elaborate and care- fully finished. The baptistery is connected with the choir and transept by large arches, filled with elegant stone tracery, and is finished with columns of variegated foreign marbles, with capitals of statuary marble exquis- itely carved, supporting the gothic groining of the dome above. Around the walls runs a wainscoting of statuary tnarble with panels of vert antique. In the center of the inlaid marble pavement stands the white marble font, adorned with appropriate symbols and figures, and cov- ered by a rich canopy. The seats of the bishop and dean as well as the stalls of the clergy in the ante-chan- cel are of mahogany, with elaborately carved canopies; and in the sanctuary the stalls and canopies are of carved stone, as well as the piscina and credence. On a plat- form of raised steps stands the altar, constructed of the purest statuary marble, with panels presenting in bold re- lief the chief events of our Lord's incarnate life, with their prophetical types in the old dispensation. The pavement of this portion of the edifice is a rich mosaic of colored marbles. In the choir and transepts are large niches for appropriate figures, executed in n arble. The crypt is connected with the choir and nave by staircases, and contains a large chapel, with a spacious hall and vestibules of carved oak filled with panels of stained glass. At the west end under the choir is another smaller chapel, and adjoining it the mausoleum, which is polygonal in form, having 14 bays, wrought in the most elegant manner in statuary marble, with clustered col- umns of the costliest European marbles at each angle of the walls, supporting the vaulting and its pendent crown. The symmetry and variety of the columnar treatment, the exquisite finish of the floriated capitals, corbels and mullions, all of which are separate studies, the stained glass presenting the story of our Lord's passion, death and resurrection, the graceful statuary and the massive sarcophagus all combine to render this mortuary temple a triumph of architectural genius. The architect is Henry G. Harrison, of No. 67 William street, New York, and the contractor James H. L'Hommedieu, of Great Neck, Long Island. The stained glass of the crypt is from the manufactory of Colgate, New York; and that of the mausoleum and the cathedral itself from the celebrated London firms of flea- ton, Butler & Bayne, and Clayton & Bell. When com- pleted the edifice will have cost $1,000,000. The organ, built by H. L. Roosevelt of New York, ranks among the largest, and in several respects is one of the most remarkable in the world. It has four manual keyboards and one pedal keyboard, and comprises one hundred and twenty speaking stops and about eight thousand pipes. Though placed in different parts of the cathedral, it is all played from one key box, situated in the choir, the remote portions being connected by cables of electric wire, over twenty miles of which are used for this purpose. The main body of the instrument is in an octagonal chamber built or. the north side of the choir for this purpose. The next largest portion is at the other end of the building, in the stage of the tower imme- diately below the chimes and separated from the church by a stained glass window, which is opened and shut from one of the swell pedals in the choir by means of electricity. A third part is in the chapel under the nave, CHURCH INSTITUTIONS AT GARDEN CITY. 191 and can be played there from its own keyboard for chap- el services. A fourth, above the ceiling, is called the Echo organ, and is played also from the choir. Two other portions are on either side of the choir. The chimes are also played from the solo manual by electricity, or from a separate keyboard in the tower. The combi- nation pedals are so arranged that the organist can change any combination to suit himself, small knobs being placed above the drawstops for this purpose. Three steam engines, located in different parts of the building, are employed to work the bellows. The cost of the instrument, which was not completed at the time of writing, was over $60,000, and the ornately carved mahogany cases cost about $30,000 additional. Relative to the site of the cathedral a writer in the Sanitarian remarks: " The setting of this gem of the pure gothic order of architecture, instead of being in arid metropolitan streets, is in a locality which will yet have a world-wide reputa- tion for all that is most attractive to the eye and grateful to refined taste in landscape and architectural beauty, and all the luxury that wealth can accumulate in its sur- roundings. Approached by any of the various lines of railway, or by the substantial and well kept carri.ige roads, worthy of the appellation sometimes given them of " Roman roads," the cathedral seems firmly planted upon an elevated plateau, with gently rolling surface, here and there broken by valleys sweeping in graceful curves, robed in green, and enlivened by flowers and crystal fountains, shaded with trees luxuriant in growth and of every variety known to the climate, fanned by delicious breezes, invigorating and exhilarating to both body and brain, and elevating to the soul." We may appropriately close our sketch of this noble edifice with the following eloquent passage from the ad- dress of the Rev. Dr. Snively at the laying of the corner stone: " From this home of reverent worship and this center of earnest work there shall go constantly the messengers of peace on earth and good-will to men, and in the Mas- ter's name and work shall kindle upon unseen altars the flame that shall illumine the world. And this cathedral, which at once enshrines the memory of the departed and gives untold efficiency to the missionary capabilities of the church, shall be both the instrumentality and the prototype of that sublime spiritual temple erected of hu- man souls and cemented by a living faith — a temple which gathers its stones from many quarries, and hews its timber from the forests of many lands, and which, without the noise of axe or hammer or saw, is rising through the centuries to its glorious consummation in Jesus Christ, its chief Head and Corner-stone. " The cathedral idea is an element in the organic life of the visible church. It has been well said that its em- bryo was in the upper room in Jerusalem, where solemn conferences were held while waiting the coming of the Comforter. From then until now the necessity of a cen- tral rendezvous and rallying-point for the church, a com- mon altar and common conference ground in devotion and debate, has been profoundly felt, and this necessity has been relieved by the cathedral. We rejoice, then, not so much over the architectural cathedral, whose walls rise and beautify this broad-bosomed plain; nor again over the memorial cathedral, which shall in silent elo- quence move the present and coming ages with the story of human love sublimed in Christ, honoring and soul- helping; but chiefly we rejoice over the great spiritual edifice, whose corner stone we have laid in the Master's name, whose walls shall be salvation, and whose gates praise through a far-reaching gospel future. " The cathedral, in its whole idea, its theory and method, is designed to fuse into a holy harmony the whole evangelical work and devotional life of the diocese. To build a cathedral, equip it, and endow it, and then give it to God for the worship of his people, is something without precedent in the annals of Christian charity. And then how beautiful the blending of the wifely affec- tion and the Christly devotion, making a mausoleum for the loved and lost of earth, and vaulting it over with a temple for the worship of the King of heaven." The Cathedral School of St. Paul. This magnificent building, which has been erected by Mrs. A. T. Stewart, occupies a sightly position about a quarter of a mile northwest of the cathedral. It is in style an adaptation of English gothic, and is massively constructed of brick, made at the brick works of the es- tate, with brown stone and Dorchester yellow stone for windows, doorways, porches and other ornamental fea- tures. The edifice consists of an imposing facade, which with the portecochere is 290 feet long, and three wings 170 feet deep, forming a ground plan something like the let- ter E; and is four stories in height, with additional stories in the center and at the angles, which have high mansard roofs. Besides these projections the exterior is diversified with ornate porches of carved stone, a clock and bell tower and a broach spire in copper for the ven- tilation of the laboratory. Over the main entrance is in- scribed: " In Memoriam Alex. Turney Stewart," with the name of the school beneath, and over the east and west doorways, "ffis/oria et Scientia" and "Ars et PhilosopJiia." The interior arrangements have been carefully planned, and appear to successfully combine the best features of modern collegiate edifices, whether in this country or abroad. The whole building is fire-proof, admirably ventilated, and supplied with gas and hot and cold water in every room, with abundant bathing facilities, and steam heating apparatus after the Holly system. The different stories are connected by two elevators, and several com- modious stairways, constructed of iron and stone. The first floor comprises the main hall, 270 feet long and 10 wide, and lateral corridors 170 feet long, wainscoted with tiles and marble, and paved with Minton tiles of beauti- ful designs; reception rooms on either side of the central entrance, connecting with a library and parlor, each 21 by 50 feet; the head master's and matron's apartments, 192 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. dormitories in the east wing; the dining hall in the cen- tral wing, 43 by 62 feet, with serving rooms; and the two assembly rooms in the west wing tor the higher and lower school, about 50 feet square, with several recita- tion and lecture rooms, each 20 by 24 feet. The second story is devoted to teachers' and pupils' rooms, varying in size from 9 by 20 feet to 18 by 25 feet; and in the center, occupying two stories, is the chapel, 42 by 65 feet, which is arranged with longitudinal sittings for some four or five hundred pupils, and has at the north end a chancel, organ and sacristy. On the third floor are sit- uated in front the music rooms, the art gallery, 25 by 62 feet; the infirmary, 25 by 40 feet, with apartmtnts for nurses, and in the corridors a large number of dormitor- ies. The fourth story contains, besides dormitories, the laboratory, 20 by 44 feet, studios for art pupils, and the gymnasium, 37 by 62 feet, with dressing rooms, in the central mansard. In the basement are play rooms in the school wing, the armory, the laundry and drying room, the steward's room and the servants' hall, the store rooms, butcher's shop, refrigerators, dairy, engine room, ovens, kitchen, scullery, etc.; and in the east wing the servants' dormitories. Throughout the building the wood work is of ash, black walnut, oak and mahogany, finished in the most elegant and substantial manner, with solid and appropriate furniture specially manufactured for the school after the most approved designs. The corner stone was laid on the 1 8th of June 1879, by the Rt. Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, D.D., LL.D., assisted by the clergy of the diocese, and in the presence of a large con- course of people. Since that time the work has rapidly progressed, under the direction of the architect, Edward D. Harris, of New York, and with the efficient co-opera- tion of the Hon. Henry Hilton, whose well directed en- ergy and discriminating taste have been of untold value in the development of the cathedral plan, with its affil- iated educational institutions. It is expected that the new edifice will be ready for occupancy in the autumn of the present year (1882). St. Paul's school, organized on the 19th of September 1877 and hitherto temporarily lodged in several houses in the place, will then be transferred to its new and permanent charters. With its increased faculty, its enlarged accommodations, and thorough equipment in library, philosophical and chemical appar- atus, and gymnasium for physical culture, its spacious park and playing fields, its beautiful lake and healthful surroundings, this school can scarcely fail to become at an early day a large and important one, furnishing all the advantages of an Eton or a Rugby; and with its outward and material prosperity it is not too much to expect that during the coming centuries it will yield a wide and ben- eficent influence, and realize the noble promise of its adopted motto, inscribed upon its corner stone, "Pro C/irt'sto, ct Ecclesia, et Uteris Humanis." JAMAICA. HIS is the southwestern town in Queens county. It is bounded on the south by Rockaway Beach, a narrow neck of land be- longing to Hempstead, which extends be- tween the ocean and Jamaica Bay; on the west by the towns of Flatlands and New Lots, in Kings county; on the north by Newtown and Flushing, and on the east by Hempstead. It has an average length and breath of about seven and one-half miles, and in- cludes a surface of about fifty-seven square miles. About one-third of the town, in the southwestern part, is cov- ered by the waters of Jamaica Bay, which communicates with the ocean through Rockaway Inlet. Through its central portion this bay is thickly interspersed with low islands, which are separated from each other by narrow water passages. Between its northern boundary and the bay the town occupies a portion of the level part of the island south from what is known as the "backbone." The Indian inhabitants of the town previous to its settlement by the whites were the Canarsees and the Rockaways. The former claimed a portion which now adjoins Kings county, and the latter were scattered over the southern part of the town of Hempstead, with, a part of Jamaica and the whole of Newtown. The prevalent opinion concerning the origin of the name Jamaica has been that it was the designation of a few families of Indians who resided near the head of the bay, and that it was originally spelled Jaincco, Jemeco, or, as it appears in the town records, Yemacah. It is always safe when the derivation of a name is uncertain, as in this case, to accept statements concerning it with many grains' of allowance; for very slight resemblances are sometimes deemed sufficient to establish relationships between names. Dr. O'Callaghan derives Jamaica from Amick, or, as it was spelled by the French, Antique, the Indian word for beaver. The place was called by the Dutch Rusdorp, which means a country village, and this name was used in early conveyances of property; but after the colony was surrendered to the English, Jamaica soon came to be the only name used. Some of the first settlers preferred the name Crawford. Census returns from 1X45, inclusive, give the popula- tion of the town as follows: 1S45, 3.883; i 8 5°. 4,247; i855.S. 6 32; 1860,6,515:1865,6,777; 1870,7,745; 1875, 8,983; 1880, 10,089. Deeds and Patents. It is not known who were the first actual settlers of the town, or when they came. It is known, however, that the first proprietors came from Hempstead, which was settled in 1644. The oldest known written docu- ment relating to the town is a deed from the Indians, of which the following is a copy: "Bee it known vnto all men by these presents that wee whose names are vnder written have sold &: set over from our selves, our heires, executors. Administrators or Asigns vnto Mr. Richard Odell, Nicholas Tanner, Richard Ogden & Nathaniell Denton, theit Associates, heirs, ex- ecutors, administrators Aasignes A Certain tract off land beginning at a great swamp lying on ye west side off Rockeway Neck Aand so running westward to a river ly- ing on ye east side off a neck off land which Mr. Coe hath hired off ye indeans, wch river is called by ye inde- ans Waubheag; ye North line running Near vnto or about ye path yt goes ffrom Hemstead [to?] Midlburroug, wt all ye uplands & meadowing within ye afforesd bounds, with all privileges & appurtenances thereunto belonging. In consideration whereoff the aforesd Mr. Richard Odell, Nicolas Tanner, Richard Ogden, Nathaniel Denton & their Associates shall give vnto theese whose names are vnder written two guns, a coat And a certain quantity off powder & lead. In witness whereoff wee have subscribe our hands this 13th of September Ano Domini 1655." This deed is signed by Daniel Denton, and by Roger Linas, Casperonn, Adam or Achitterenose, Ruckquakek, Runnasuk, Aumerhas, Caumeuk, Manguaope and Wau- metompack by their " marks." In 1656 the associated settlers petitioned the governor as follows: "To the Right Worshipfull Peter Stuyvesant, Esquire, Governor General of the N. Netherlands, with the Coun- cell of State there established: " The humble petition of us subscribed shewcth that, where as wee have Twice already petitioned, soe are bold once againe to petition un to your worship & honourable Councell for a place to improve our Labours upon; for some of us are destitute of either habitation or posses- sion, others Though inhabited yett finde that in the place where they are the cannot comfortably subsist by their Labours and endeavours. By which means they are ne- cessitated to Look out for a place where they may hope 24 194 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. with Gods Blessing upon theyr Labours more comfortably to subsist. The place they desire & have alreadie peti- tioned for is called Conorasset, & Lies from a river which divideth it from Conarie see to the Bounds of heemstead, & may containe about twentie families. This place, upon ineoeragement from your worship by our messenger that presented our petition sent the second tymc, wee have purchased from the Indians, & are not willing to Remove out of the jurisdiction iff wee may be tollerated to pos- sesse our purchase; &, whereas we are desirous To set- tle our selves this spring, wee humbly crave that this place may bee confirmed unto us with as much expedition as may be soe. With Appreciation of all happiness to your worship and honored Councell wee humbly take our leave, who are your humble petioncrs." " Robert Jackson, Nicholas Tanner, Nathaniel Denton, Richard Everit, Rodger Linas, Daniel Denton, John Eazar, Abraham Smith, Thomas Ireland, Thomas Carle, Edward Sprag, John Rhoades, Andrew Messenger, Sam- uel Matthews. "Hempstead, the ioth of March 1656." The following response to this petition has been trans- lated from the Dutch records by E. B O'Callaghan: "The Directors and Council, having seen the request of the petitioners, at present inhabitants of the town of Heemsteede and subjects of this province, do consent that the petitioners may begin a new town according to their plan in this respect, between the land called by us Canaresse and the town Heemsteede, on such freedoms, exemptions and special ground briefs as the inhabitants of N. Netherlands generally enjoy; as well in the pos- session of their lands as in the election of their magis- trates, on the same footing and order as is customary in the towns of Middleborch, Breukelen, Midwout and Aamersfoort. Done at Fort Aamsterdam, in New Neth- erland, March 21st 1656. " P. Stuyvesant." In Jamaica, as in the other towns in the county, the title to the soil was vested in the people of the town by virtue of the foregoing grant from the governor and council and the deeds that were from time to time ob- tained from the Indians. The following memoranda, which appear in the town records, show what disposition was at first made of these lands: " The town have given Mr. Robert Coe & and his son Benjamin Coe each of yra a home lot. " The town have Alsoe given Nicholas Tanner, Abra- ham Smith, John Eazar, Samuel Smith, Morace Smith, & William Thorne each off ym a house lying upon ye west quarter. " The town have granted Andrew Messenger, Samuel Matthews, Thomas Wiggins, Richard Chasmore, Richard Harkert, Richard Everet, Henry Townsend, Richard Townsend, John Tpwnsend and John Roades each off ym a house lot lying upon ye north quarter. " To Samuel Dein, Nath. Denton, Geo. Mills, Rodger Linas, Dan'l Denton &: Sam'l Andrews each a house lot on ye south quarter of ye town. The aforesay home lots are to be six acres in a Lot — 18 ffoot to ye pole, 12 pole in breadth, 8 in Length." " Novembr ye 25th 1S56, Stylo novo. — These presents declareth yt wee whose names are vnderwriten, being true owners by vertue off purchase ffrom ye indians & graunt ffrom ye Governor & Councell given & granted ye 2 1 st of March 1656, I say wee, who are ye true owners by vertue of purchase, & our Associates, our names be- ing vnder written, living at ye New plantation near unto ye bever pond, Commonly Called Jemaica — I say wee, in Consideration off our charge & trouble in getting & set- ting off ye place, have reserved ffor our selves ye ffull & just sum off ten acres off planting Land a man besides ye home lotts in ye nearest & Convenientst place yt can be found; & soe likwise 20 acres off medowing a man, Convenientst place they can find; & yt shall Remain as theirs, their heirs', executors', or Assignes', ffor their prop- er Right, every man taking his lot according to their ffrst Right to ye land. " witnesse our hands this day & date above written: Robert Coe, Nic: Tanner, Nat: Denton, And: Messenger, Daniell Denton, Abra: Smith, Rodger Linas, Samuel Mathews, John Eazar, Richard Everet, John Townsend, Hen: Townsend, Rich: Townsend, Ri: Harkert, Ri: Chas- more, George Mills, John Roades." " January ye i^lh 1657. — It is this day granted by ye town that Mr. Robert Coe & his son Beniamen shall take- vp, possesse & enjoy Ten acies off land a peece at ye rear off their home lots." " Feb. 2-jth 1658. — It is agreed upon by the town yt, according to a fformer order, yt ye (first proprietors and their associates shall have ten acres off planting Land a piece in ye most convenient place, wch they shall chuse so yt ye shall now vew & have there lots la> d out accord- ing to ye sayd order. " Theese men following doe conclude to have their lots east ward: John Townsend, John Roades, Nathan- iel Denton, Daniel Denton, Richard Everet, Richard Harkert, George Mills. "These men following take up yere ten-.acre lots west ward: Nicolas Tanner, Andrew Messenger, Samuel Mathews, John Eazar, Richard Chasmore, Abraham Smith, Rodger Linas. " Richard Townsend & Nicolas Tanner are chosen to lay out the ten-acre lots &: to have 2ds an acre ffor yere labour. "Henry Townsend, Richard Townsend and Daniell Denton have each of ym a ten acre lot liing to ye north- ward off ye way yt goes to Hempstead, on ye side ye Rocky Hollow next adjoining to ye home lots upon ye north east quarter; Henry Townsend liing ye ffirst & next adjoining to ye northeast quarter, Daniell Denton's ye next & Richard Townsend ye 3d & last off ye three. " These ten acre lots above specified are given and granted to ye Afforesayd men by ye town & layd out ac- cording to order." November 22nd 1658 a town meeting voted "that ye medow shall be layd out for the purchasers, 17 lots, 20 acres A lot. Richard Everet, Rodger Linas, Richard Harker and John Eazar chosen to lay out ye medow & to have 3ds an acre ffor their labour." It appears from the record that not only was each man's lot designated by vote at town meeting, but that subsequent transfers were supervised and regulated by the people. An entry made January 21st 1659 states that a man named Benjamin Hubbard had purchased a house lot without the approbation or knowledge of the town. He was required to give a pledge of good be- havior as the condition on which he might continue in the enjoyment of his purchase. The population of the town gradually increased, and lands were allotted to ac- ceptable settlers. From the allotment of 1660 the fol- lowing in addition to those already named are found to have been freeholders: John Baylis, George Woolsey sen., Joseph Smith, John Everit, John Carpenter, Samuel Dean sen., John Oldfield, Thomas Smith sen., Thomas Ward, Samuel Mills, John Ludlum, John Wood, Na- PATENTS AND PATENTEES IN JAMAICA. thaniel Denton jr., Thomas Oakley, Waite Smith, Nehe- miah Smith, Samuel Davis, Fulke Davis, Abel Gail, Nathaniel Mills, Alexander Smith, Caleb Carman, Samuel Matthews, Henry Foster, Jonas Holstead, William Rus- coe, Samuel Barker, John Speagler, Samuel Messenger, Nicholas Everit, Samuel Smith, Joseph Thurston, Ed- ward Higbie, Bryant Newton, John Rowlifson, Thomas Wellin, Robert Ashman, John Lynas and Morris Smith. It must be remembered that at this period, though nominally subject to the Dutch provincial government, the town was practically an independent republic and commonwealth. The legislative, executive, and judicial functions were combined in the people assembled in town meeting; and matters both of general and special interest were there discussed and determined. One can hardly repress a smile as he glances over the records of their proceedings at these town meetings; but when the circumstances by which they were surrounded are considered, and when it is remembered that two and a quarter centuries have gone by since these records were made, the conviction will be inevitable that their affairs were managed wisely. A more ample charter or patent was granted by Gov- ernor Stuyvesant in 1660 to the town, which was named in it Rusdorp. Jealousy of power that did not emanate from him was a characteristic weakness of this governor, and under the promptings of this feeling he was occa- sionally guilty of arbitrary acts, as well toward the people of this town as of others within his jurisdiction. At almost every town meeting during two centuries action was taken concerning the common lands of the town. At first, as shown by the foregoing extracts, these lands were divided among the original settlers, and other portions were afterward allotted to such immigrants as were acceptable to these. As the town became more and more populous of course the common lands became less. Within a comparatively recent period the town has taken measures to dispose of these lands, and sales have been effected. A sale was made of the common lands known as Little Plains in 1843; and in 1854 Beaver Pond, which was the last of the public lands owned by the town, was sold in small parcels. Lands were purchased from the Indians at various times, usually for trifling considerations. In 1662 the town voted to the Indians a trooper's coat and a kettle; and their sachems signed the following release: "Wee whose names are vnderwritten doe by these presents ac- knowledge ourselves satisfied for the 8 bottles of licker yt was promised vs by the town off Rustdorp & ffor all rights & claims whatsoever ffor any land yt wee have fformerly sold to ye town off Rustdorp. Witness our hands this fiveteenth off Aprill one thousand six hundred sixty and two." This was signed (with their " marks") by Waumitampack, Rockause and Ramasowie, before Daniel Denton, and the following note was appended: " The 8 bottles of lickrs was insted of a ketlc wch ye indeans was to have had." This deed of confirmation was executed in 1663: " Know all men whom it may Concern That I, Waumi- tumpack, Sachem off Rockeway, having fformerly sold to ye inhabitants off Crafford, Alias Jemaica, a tract off land bounded eastward by a great swamp or River which is ye west bounds off Rockeway neck, I say which makes Rockey a neck on ye west side, & so to run betwixt ye great plains & ye little plains to ye hills, as appears by ye markt trees, I say I, Waumitumpak afores'd, doe ffor my selff, my heires or any others that may lay any claime thereunto, Ratiffie & Conffirme my fformer sale made to ye inhabitants off Crafford aforesd in ye year off our lord 1655, by laying out ye bounds off sd sale by markt trees as above, running nortward to the hills betwixt ye sd playnes. In witness wherevnto I, wt 2 others off Rocke- way, set our hands ye 7th of March 1663." The two others were Rockause and Nannovvat, and the deed was subscribed before Daniel Denton and "Thomas Bennydick." In 1674 the town "voted to be paid to the Indians" for what was termed the west purchase " one trooper's coat, five guns, three blankets, sixteen coats, nine kettles, ten pounds of powder, ten bars of lead, one coat in liq- uors, thirty fathoms of wampum, and a quart more of liquor." In 1686 a new patent to the town was issued by Gov- ernor Dongan. This patent set forth that, in accordance with a previous agreement, the town of Jamaica should make no claim to Rockaway Neck, and that by " Rocka- way River " should be understood " the river that runs out of Rockaway Swamp, and to be Jamica's eastbounds;" and that the meadows on the west thereof should belong to Jamaica. The persons named as patentees, in behalf of themselves and their associates, were Nicholas Everit, Nathaniel Denton, Nehemiah Smith, Daniel Denton sen., John Oldfield, William Creed, Bryant Newton, Benjamin Coe, Jonas Wood, William Fforster, John Event, Edward Higbie, Daniel Whitehead, John Carpenter, John Free- man, Samuel Smith, Richard Rhodes, Joseph Smith, George Woolsey, John Bayles, Thomas Smith sen. and Wait Smith. In 1665 a patent, confirming such lands as had been purchased, was granted by Governor Nicoll to Daniel Denton, Robert Coe, Bryant Newton, William Hallett, Andrew Messenger, Anthony Waters and Nathaniel Den- ton; in which the bounds of the town were set forth. A rate made in 1708 included 190 names of taxable in- habitants in the town. The last record of quit rent paid by the town was for the five years from 1721 to 1725 in- clusive. A receipt was given to the town of Jamaica for £5 13s. 4d. by Archibald Kennedy. Curiosities of Local Legislation. The following is a copy of the record of proceedings at the first town meeting. The apparent discrepancy in the date of this meeting and of the permit to organize the town is accounted for by the confusion between old and new styles. Previous to 1652 the year commenced on the 25th of March, and after the adoption of the new style, which made the first of January the commencment of the year, some adhered to the old style'in reckoning. " A town meeting held at ye town ye 18th day off Feb. 1656. 196 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. tsX- " Daniell Denton/to write and enter all acts & orders off publick concernment to ye town, & is to have a daies work a man ffor, ye sayd employment. ^t^is voted/ & concluded by ye town yt whosoever shall ff ell tmf trees in ye highways shall take both top & body out of ye highway. " It is ffurther voted & agreed upon by ye town yt whosoever shall kill a wolff within ye bounds of ye town shall have ffifteen shillings a wolff. " Likewise it is agreed upon by ye town yt whereas they have ye Litle plains by purchase & patent wtt in their limits, to maintain their right & privilege in ye sayd place ffrom any such as shall goe to deprive ym off it, it so to make vse of it as they shall see cause." The following extracts from the records of the town are introduced to show the manner in which public bus- iness was transacted at that early period. These records have been carefully bound and preserved in an unbroken series from 1656 to the present time. " 30th 1658. — It is ys day voted ordered fit agreed upon by this town off Rustdorp that no person or persons whatsoever whithin this town shall sell or give directly or indirectly to any indian or indians whatsoever within or about ye sayd town Any strong licker or strong drink whatsoever or off what sort soever, either much or litle, more or lesse, upon the fforffiture ffiffty Guilders ffor every offence." "January yc 2\st 1659. — The town have hired 2 bulls for ye ensuing year, one off Richard Chasmore &: another off Beniamin Coe, & are to give ym Twentie shillings of peece." "March ye 2$th 1659. — It is concluded by ye town yt as formerly so ye ensuing year they shall mow by squad- rons. Lots drawn: John Townsend and his squadron at ye east Neck, Mr. Coe and his squadron at ye Long Necke, Nicolas Tanner's squadron at ye old house's necke, Nathaniel Denton & his squadron at ye Haw trees." "It is ordered ye 15th off January 1661 yt A rate shall be made ffor ye wolves,one off Abraham's killing, 2 off ym ytt John Towsend pit cacht; & one bull hired, 20 shil- lings; and 30 shillings ffor ye dark; ye whole is 4_£ 15s. John Townsend and Thomos Ffoster chosen to gather ye rate." " April ye 30//; 1661. — The town have agreed to hire a cowe-keeper jointly together to keep all ye town cowes & , calves for this year." "April ye last. — The town doe by these presents promise & engage to pay vnto Wm. Coe, off Rustdorp, the sum of eleven pounds seventeen shillings, to be payd in good passable wampum, sixe months from ye date hereoff. This money above speciffied is payd to Mr. Coe off ye money Nicholas Tanner lent ye town. " Written by order from ye town, by Daniel Denton, dark." January ye 2,0th 1662. — The town doe promis to give Abraham Smith 30s ffor beating ye drum a year." " March ye 6th 1662. — It is voted by ye town yt John Baylie, Nathaniel Denton & Thomas Ftoster shall act and order all matters off publick concernment ffor ye town, unlesse disposing off lands & taking in off habi- tants, during ye term off one year. March ye \$th 1662. — It is ordered and Aagreed by ye Town'yt John Baylie shall keep an ordinary in ye Town of Rustdorp ffor entertaining of strangers & allsoe to sell drink, and that no man shall have liberty to sell drink, whether bear or likers or any sorts of wine, wt in this town onely ye ordinary keeper affore- sayd; & yt he shall fforthwith set upon ye work to pro- vide ffor strangers & to give entertainment to such stran- gers as shall come at present. "It is ffurther voted fit agreed by ye town that ' Rich- ard Britnell shall bee Marchall ffor ye year: It is ffurther ordered by ye town to build a house ffor ye minister, off 36 ffoot long." " November ye 15M 1662. — It is voted, concluded &: agreed upon by ye town yt ye neck on ye west side off ye haw trees, with ye upland liing to the hills above it, bee bought off ye indeans. " The town have voted & concluded yt, whereas Mr. Waters have given ym intelligence off a man yt is a tan- ner yt would have a lot amongst vs and sveh accommo- dations as may sute his calling ffor to ffollow his trade, the town are willing to accomadate him as well as they can." " January ye 29/// 1663. — It is voted by ye town yt John shall be marshall ffor this ensuing year, & to have ye ffees belonging to ye place ffor his labour. Aand if any man shall deride him in respect off his place or cast any aspersion upon him hee shall be liable to ye censure off ye court. "It is voted by ye ttown yt Abraham Smith shall have thirty shillings a year ffor beating ye Drum vpon sabbath daies and other publike meetings daies, fk. to have his pay in tobacco pay; or wheat at 6s. 8d. & indean at 4s." In 1663 "all cattle, colts or hoggs" less than one year old were exempted from rates, and it was ordered that failure to "give in" ratable cattle should be punished by forfeiture of these cattle to the town. All business relating to public worship, such as the procuring of a minister, providing a house for him, reg- ulating his salary, and fixing the value of the produce in which it was paid, was transacted at town meetings. Men were appointed from time to time to look after his temporal wants, and in 1663 it was "voted yt all ye in- habitants off this our town shall pay towards ye mainten- ance of ye ministry according to what ye possesse." At different town meetings in 1663 regulations were adopted concerning animals, especially swine, that ran at large. Such "as doe damage by coming into ye corn fields" were to be sufficiently yoked, and " such hoggs as lie about town, though ye have done no damage at present, shall be kept vp every night." Fences were to be repaired, under the penalty of i2d. per rod for neg- lect. It was afterward voted "yt every hog shall pay ffive shillings yt shall be cacht in ye ffields wt out a yoke, whether hog or sow or shoat; " and proportionate penal- ties were imposed on horses and oxen found tresspassing " in ye corn ffields." In December 1663 John Bayles and Daniel Denton were appointed " ffor ye ending off differences betwixt man and man according to ye laws of England, in place of magistrates." Francis Finch was chosen constable and Goodman Benedick " Livtenant off town." It was also " concluded yt John Baylies, liefftenant Benedik St Daniel Denton shall meet ye deputies off ye severall towns to agitate wt ym or act About such things as may bee ffor ye generall good off ye towns." A disposition was evinced by these acts to act in concert with other towns in eman- cipating themselves from Dutch rule. ' Five townsmen were chosen to qrder affairs for the town, except disposing of lands. These men made or- ders, which were confirmed in a subsequent town meet- EARLY ORDINANCES OF JAMAICA— THE REVOLUTION. 197 ing, compelling people, under penalties, to keep sufficient ladders, and sweep their chimneys. A commission was appointed in January 1664 to " byy" a peece of land off ye indeans, over ye hill on ye north side of ye hills, about a mile in breadth or thereabouts;" another com- mittee was appointed to report this purchase to the gov- ernor for his approval, and still another "to gather ye rate made ffor ye purchase of ye hills." In 1665 a commission was appointed to defend the town against a complaint of Flushing, and to request of the governor that the several deeds from the Indians be recorded. Probably the controversy with Flushing related to boundaries. The town directed Richard Ev- ent to visit the sachem Waumitampak and induce him to appear before the general court and verify the several purchases that had been made, and for this to promise him a new coat. In 1679 a resolution was adopted to send for the In- dians " to make our east bounds according to our former purchases." Questions as to boundaries often arose be- tween this and the neighboring towns of Flushing and Hempstead, and commissioners were appointed to settle these questions. In 1681 the constables of Jamaica and Flushing, each accompained by citizens of his town, met " to agetate determin marke out and conclude of division boundes to be and remaine betweene the land of Flush- ing and the land of Jamaica from time to time and to the end of time," and such line was recorded. In 1670 fifty-two freeholders or proprietors were re- corded as residents of the town. Nothing which appears in the records indicates that the revolution of 1664 affected the management of town matters. The extracts and statements that have been made show what the general plan of management was at that early time. The first recorded road in this town was laid out in 1727 by Jonathan Whitehead, Gabriel Luff and Richard Betts, commissioners. This road is described as being two rods in breadth, and running " through the land of Thomas Whitehead in Jamaica, beginning at the north- west corner of Abraham Montonya's green, so running westwardly over the said Whitehead's land to a certain white oak tree standing near the mill pond, with a bulge on the south side near the root; and the said road to be on the north side of the said boundaries; and from the said white oak tree running southwardly along the said mill pond as near the said pond as to leave a sufficient road as aforesaid; and from thence to a certain place where the people passeth over the brook below the mill now in the possession of Saml. Skidmore; then westwardly over the brook to the house of said Skidmore." Several other roads were established within a few years, but the descriptions of them were quite as indefinite as this. At a town meeting in 1786 it was "voted that no hogs shall run at large in this town, and if catched at anytime in any inclosure shall be liable to be pounded, and the owner or owners of such hogs to pay the damage." In 1787 it was enacted "that Abraham Ditmars and Ben- jamin Everitt Esqs. be appointed to bind out the poor children as appren-tices, and to compel such persons to work as have no visible means of gaining a livelihood." In 1797 William Ludlum, Abraham Ditmars and Benja- min Everitt were ordered to set up a "cage" in the town, at such a place as they should determine; and the expense was directed to be paid by the overseers of the poor. In 1808 Abiathar Rhodes was directed to provide "a stocks" for the town, and the sum of thirty dollars was voted to defray the expense thereof. The first recorded division of the roads in the town into districts was made in 1830, by George Johnson, Michael Skidmore and Abraham Hendrickson. Ten dis- tricts were then established. In 1859 the road districts were revised and fourteen were established. The following appears in the record for 1846: "At a special town meeting, held May 19th 1846 at the house of Rem. J. Snedeker, in the village of Jamaica, county of Queens, State of New York, pursuant to an act passed May 14th 1845 ar >d February 1 6th 1846, to ballot for license or no license; in which was 316 votes polled for license, and 204 votes for no license. Major- ity was one hundred and four in favor of license." Jamaica in the Revolution. In Jamaica, as in other portions of Queens county, the tory feeling was dominant during the Revolutionary strug- gle. This feeling was held in check, and efforts were made to smother it, during the latter part of 1775 and the first half of 1776, but after the battle of Long Island and the re-establishment of British authority there ex- isted scarcely an obstacle to its exercise. A company of " minute men for the defense of Amer- ican liberty," consisting of fifty-six, was formed in this town. Of this company John Skidmore was captain, Jacob Wright first lieutenant, Nicholas Everitt second lieutenant, and Ephraim Marsten ensign. Their uniform dress was a linen frock reaching below the knee, with a fringe around the neck and arms, and a white feather in the hat. Early in 1776 a company of forty was formed, of which Ephraim Bayles was captain, Increase Carpen- ter first lieutenant, Abraham Van Osdoll second lieuten- ant, and Othniel Smith ensign. It will be remembered that an effort had been made to disarm the tories on this end of the island, and when, for disobeying Captain. Bayles's order to appear in arms, the cattle and effects of some of these were seized and sold they petitioned the Provincial Congress for relief, alleg- ing that they had been disarmed, and could not therefore obey the order to appear in arms. Their sincerity was doubted. The Harford Courant for April 25th 1776 contained the following: " Last Saturday the James pilot boat, one of the piratical tenders that infest this coast, rame into Rockaway Inlet for plunder, but got aground. A parly of American troops, receiving information of it, marched with two field pieces to attack her, but on the appearance of our men. her hands took the long boat and (led. Our Iy8 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. men took possesion, and found four wooden guns mounted; got her off and brought her into safe harbor." In April 1776 the town committee, which had ceased to act, was revived, and the chairman, Captain Bayles, gave notice of the fact, at the same time warning all people of the town that acts in disaccord with the reso- lutions of the Continental Congress would not be toler- ated. In May this committee resolved that no person should be permitted to move into the town without bringing a certificate of his faithfulness to the cause of American freedom, and that suspicious persons passing through should be arrested and examined. A man named John Livingstone, a furloughed soldier, was arrested by the committee, and on refusing to answer their interrogatories sent to New York. For this contu- macy he was imprisoned. It has been stated elsewhere that a partially success- ful attempt was made to disarm the tories in Queens county, and that they were promptly supplied with arms from the " Asia " man-of-war. Captain Benjamin White- head, Charles Ardin, Joseph French and Johannes Pol- hemus, who had been thus supplied, were summoned be- fore the Provincial Congress to " give satisfaction " con- cerning themselves. In July William Ludlum jr. was made captain of the Jamaica minute men, and Thomas Denton was chosen lieutenant in one of the companies of the first regiment in Queens county. An account of the capture and death of General Wood- hull has been given on page 41. Of events in Jamaica succeeding the battle of Long Island the following ac- count is taken from Onderdonk's Revolutionary Inci- dents of Queens county: "The day after Woodhull's capture Elias Bayles, chair- man of the Jamaica committee, was walking over to Nich- olas Smith's, at the one-mile mill, to hear the news^when he was arrested by a neighbor, who wished to do some- thing to ingratiate himself with the British. " When the venerable man, blind as he was, was brought before the British officer at Jamaica, he exclaimed in surprise, 'Why do you bring this man here? He's blind; he can do no harm.' The unfeeling wretch who had in- formed against him replied, 'He's blind, but he can talk.' Bayles did not attempt to conciliate the officer, but unfor- tunately dropped a few words in vindication of the Amer- ican cause. This was enough. He was shut up in the Presbyterian church that night, and the next day carried to the prison at New Utrecht. He was subsequently re- moved to the provost in New York. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church and stood high in the com- munity. He was visited in prison by his wife and daugh- ter. After a confinement of about two months, at the intercession of friends, he was released, but barely in time to breathe his last without a prison's walls. He died in crossing the ferry with his daughter, and his mor- tal remains now repose without a stone to mark the spot or commemorate his worth. The heartless wretch who arrested him fled on the return of peace, to Nova Scotia, dreading the vengeance of his fellow citizens; after a two years' exile he ventured to return, but looked so poor and forlorn that he was never molested. " Daniel Duryee (afterward assemblyman), Wm. Fur- man, Wm. Creed, and two others were put in one pew in New Utrecht church. Bayles wanted them to get the Bible out of the pulpit and read to him. They feared to do it, but led the blind man to the pulpit steps. As he returned with it a British guard met him, beat him vio- lently, and took away the book. They were three weeks at New Utrecht, and then marched down to the prison ship. " As fast as the Whigs were seized they were put in the Presbyterian church till a sufficient number were col- lected to send under guard to the prison ship. It is said that when these unfortunate prisoners, embracing, as they did, some of our worthiest and most aged citi- zens, were drawn up and ready to march, a crowd of spectators assembled to witness their departure, attracted, some by sympathy, others gazing with a fiendish smile on the Whigs in this their hour of retribution. One aged Whig, named Smith, appealed to a loyalist to intercede for him. The cold reply was, 'Ah, John, you've been a great rebel.' Directly the old man's searching eye de- tected a more benevolent look in the face of another loy- alist. 1 McEvers, this is hard for an old man like me, to go to prison; can't you do something for me ? ' ' What have you been doing, John ?' ' Why, I've had opinions of my own.' ' Well, I'll see what I can do for you.' McEvers then went to the officer, and made such a repre- sentation that Smith was immediately released. " John Thurston was put in prison and had his health ruined. Abraham Ditmars, Robart Hinchman, David Lamberson (and who can tell how many more ?) were carried off to prison. " Rev. Abraham Keteltas crossed to the main; J. J. Skidmore went up the North River, and returned at the peace, his wife dying in the meantime. Increase Car- penter was commissary to the army." During the time of the occupation of Long Island by the British, which extended from August 1776 to the close of the Revolution, many incidents of local histori- cal interest occurred in Jamaica, of which a lack of space prevents the record of more than a few here. Others will be found in the history of Jamaica village. A town meeting was held November 24th 1777 to con- cert measures " for providing firewood and other neces- sary articles consisting with the article of billeting the king's troops, now quartered in Jamaica, for the use of the hospital and guard-house in the said town." All per- sons having soldiers billeted on them were exempted from furnishing any such necessaries. " John Polhemus for the western district, John Lamberson for Springfield, John Doughty and Jacamiah Valentine for the eastern district and Dow Ditmars for the southern district " were appointed trustees to provide for wood, and Edward Willetts was appointed to inspect the wood and give re- ceipts. Jamaica Bay and its Fisheries. Jamaica Bay, as before stated, is thickly interspersed with islands through its central portion from east to west. A part of these islands are simply sand bars that are completely submerged at high tide, a portion are over- flowed by the highest tides only, and a few are composed of dry land that the tide never overflows. The sand bars are of course destitute of vegetation, and those which are at times overflowed produce a coarse grass called sedge, while a few of the higher are arable. The bay is navigable through Broad and Beach chan- nels for vessels drawing six or eight feet, and through THE FISHERIES OF JAMAICA BAY — SLAVERY. 199 many of the other channels and in its northern portion at high tide by vessels of a lighter draft. It is crossed, near its middle, by the New York, Woodhaven, and Rock- away Railroad, which is built on piles across it, and has draw-bridges over three of the principal channels. This bay has always been a place of resort for pro- curing clams, crabs, and oysters. The first recorded ac- tion by the town prohibiting the indiscriminate taking of these shellfish was taken in 1763. In July of that year the following notice was given: " Whereas divers persons, without any right or license so to do, have of late, with sloops, boats and other craft, presumed to come into Jamaica Bay and taken, destroyed and carried away quantities of clams, mussels and other fish, to the great damage of said town, this is to give warning to all persons who have no right or liberty that they do forbear to commit any such trespass in the bay for the future; otherwise they will be prosecuted at law for the same by Thomas Cornell jr. and Waters Smith. By order of the town." The following is found in the colonial manuscripts: "May 31 1704 Tunis Johnson, Derick Johnson Amber- man and Derick Longstreet, fishermen, of Flatlands, were brought prisoners to Jamaica for trespassing in Ja- maica Bay by fishing with nets without consent of the freeholders. They were let off on their giving a bond for £100 not to do so again. But in May 1707 Governor Cornbury ordered them to attend him at Rockaway Beach, with their boats and nets, and bid them, when there, to fish and draw their nets. After Cornbury was out of of- fice (May 1709) the people of Jamaica sued the fishermen for the penalty of their bond which they had forfeited. The prisoners petition for a release from their bond." In 1791 it was " voted that all persons be precluded from coming with boats and pettiaugers in the bay of this town for the purpose of getting clams or oysters without paying to the commissioners authorized to receive the same the sum of one shilling for every thousand so taken as aforesaid, on pain of paying 40s. for each offence." This regulation was re-enacted several times in subse- quent years. At the same town meeting it was " voted that no person or persons other than inhabitants of the township and paying taxes within the same presume to cut any sedge on the marshes in the bay of this township, on the penalty of 40s. for each offence." In 1863 the trustees of the town, for a consideration of six cents, granted to D. H. Waters " the privilege of planting oysters under the waters of Jamaica Bay to the extent of one hundred square yards, under said waters known as Hell Gate Marsh." At the annual town meeting in 1869 the exclusion of non-residents from the fisheries in the bay was recom- mended, and at the town meeting in 1871 the trustees were instructed to remove all stakes or other obstructions illegally standing in the waters of the bay, or in the marshes thereof. In 187 1 an act was passed by the Legislature author- izing the board of auditors to lease to actual residents of the town, on certain prescribed conditions, portions of land under the waters of the bay for planting oysters, and prescribing penalties for any trespass on lands so leased. In 1875 a vote on the question of these leases was taken by ballot, resulting as follows: " For granting ex- clusive privileges in the waters of Jamaica, 167: against the same, 808." Notwithstanding this emphatic protest of the peopTe lessees are still in the enjoyment of the rights they acquired under the law. The following appeared in the New York Mercury of January 27th 1754: " Last Monday morning, the weather being uncom- monly pleasant and warm, many people were induced to go into Jamaica Bay for oysters, clams, etc.; but about noon such a severe gale of wind arose from the north- west, with a sudden change from warm to cold, as was scarce ever known here, when all the small craft put off to gain the shore in the best manner they could. A num- ber of canoes and pettyaugers came on shore at a point of meadow south of Jamaica, and, with the utmost dif- ficulty, the people belonging to them traveled up to a house two miles from the place of landing. All got safe to the house, though much benumbed and several speech- less, except Daniel Smith, a young man, who perished on the meadows half a mile from the house, his companions not being able to help him any further, having dragged him a mile after he lost the use of his feet. The same day the crews of two canoes in Jamaica Bay, consisting of eight people, from Newtown, not returning at night were sought for next day, but the ice being so thick it was impracticable to go far in quest of them until Friday, when one canoe was found driven on an island of sedge, in which were found the bodies of Samuel Leveridge, Amos Roberts, William Salier and Thomas Morrel, alias Salier — all frozen to death; the steersman sitting in an erect posture at the helm. The three former were mar- ried men, leaving distressed families behind them. To- day another canoe was seen but could not be come at by reason of the ice, in which, it is supposed, are the other four missing persons — one white man servant and three valuable negroes." Slavery in Jamaica. Slavery prevailed in Jamaica, as well as in other towns on Long Island, down to the time of its abolition by the several enactments of the Legislature. Here, however, as in the other towns, it had not the opprobrious features that characterized it in other countries, and in other re- gions of this country. As penalties for crimes corporal punishments were inflicted on slaves, but it must be re- membered that freemen were also subjected to these pen- alties, for the pillory, the stocks, the whipping post and the branding iron were approved institutions in those days. The following paragraphs and advertisements, among others, have been collected by Mr. Onderdonk and recorded in his "Queens County in Olden Time." In 1672 Andrus, a negro slave of Captain Wm. Law- rence, was whipped 39 stripes, and branded on the fore- head with a hot iron, for theft and larceny of some linen etc., at Jamaica. " A mulatto fellow, Isaac, aged 24," was advertised July 3d 1749, as having run away from John Betts, of Jamaica. August 20th 1764 was advertised a negro man, "who speaks broken English," taken up. In 1766 a negro man, Mink, was advertised by John 1'olhe- mus; and another — Primus — by John Combes; both runaways, from Jamaica. In 1775 a report was circu- lated in Jamaica of a conspiracy among the negroes to 200 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. destroy the whites, and several were arrested; but the report proved to be false. In October of the same year an advertisement appears for the sale of some real estate at Old Neck, on which is a grist-mill etc.; also a fine healthy negro boy ten years old. In 1781 Ray & Fitz- simmons advertised an absconding " negro, Hercules, apt to stutter on surprise; and a wench, young and lusty, with three scars on each cheek, from the southward." In 1784 Rev. John Bovvden, of Jamaica, "offers a reason- able reward and charges for his negro boy Bill, who ran away," etc. The Long Island Fanner of December 5th 1822 stated: "In and about Jamaica are great numbers of colored people growing up in ignorance of the Bible and everything that belongs to civilization, and who have no- where to look for instruction but to the Sabbath-schools. The teachers, having obtained permission, have opened a school for them in the Presbyterian church, and have already gathered in about fifty." In the year 1814, and several years immediately fol- lowing, many certificates of manumission of slaves by their owners were recorded. These were preceded by certificates of the overseers of the poor that the slaves manumitted were less than forty-five years of age, and capable of providing for themselves. Schools. According to the census returns of 1880 the colored population of Jamaica is 324, most of whom reside in the village. Some of these are descendants of those who were slaves here before the " peculiar institution" was abolished in the State of New York. The first known record concerning a school in Jamaica was made between January and March 1676, as follows: "ye constable & oversers have &: doe give libberty unto Richard Jones to make use of ye meting house for to teach scoule in for ye yere ensuing, provided he keep- ye vvindovves from breaking and keep it deasent & clean one Saturday nights against ye Lords day & seats to be placed in order: — excepting what times ye constable and over- sers shall have ocation to make use of it; then they to have it at their disposal by order of ye constable and oversers." Without doubt this "scoule," if Mr. Jones gave much attention to orthography, met an obvious want among the inhabitants of the town at that time. It is a well known fact that, as a rule, wherever New Englanders or their descendants settled the school-house as well as the church quickly made its appearance; and this town was not an exception to this rule, though the histories of the early schools here are lost. The records for 1726 include this entry, which, it must be admitted, does not give evidence of astonishing pro- gress: "Jamaica May the forth 1726. — At a town meeting held at Jamaica at the time aforesaid it was voted ye ma- jority of the freeholders then & there assembled voted that Mr. Pier [Poyer] Mr. Cross Just Betts Just Messin- ger Just Smith & Clerk Smith are appointed and chosen to see what people are willing to agree to doe or sub- scribe toward ye incorrigement of a free scoule in ye town " entered by me nehem Smith clerk " Under the common school system which was estab- lished in 1 8 1 2 the town in 1813 voted to " receive their quota of the school fund for the appropriation of com- mon schools of this State, and that the sum of $125 be raised for said fund." In that year Benjamin Wright, Jeremiah Skidmore, and David Lamberson jr. were elected school commissioners; and Daniel Smith, John I.udlum, Johannes S. Lott, Jacob Bergen, Abraham Hen- drickson, and John J. Messenger inspectors. The town was divided by the commisioners into seven school dis- tricts. The following resolution, adopted the next year, illus- trates the conservative spirit which renders people cautious in adopting what they regard as innovations: " Voted that the town do not receive their quota of money from this State as regards common schools, and agreed that the town give the money to the poor that was raised as the quota for common schools." In 1844 Henry Onderdonk jr. was elected the first town superintendent of common schools under the law creating that office. There are now seven school districts in the town out- side of the village of Jamajca, and in these tasteful and convenient school-houses have replaced the ruder struc- tures of former times. In the schools taught in these houses two and in some instances three teachers are em- ployed; and as far as practicable they are graded. From " reading, writing and ciphering " the curriculum of study has come to embrace many of the higher branches, and a good education is thus placed within the reach of all, whether of indigent or wealthy parentage. Town Officers. At first the people of the town determined what offi- cers to elect, and prescribed the duties of those officers. No machinery of local government had then been devised for them, and from time to time, when assembled in town meeting, they chose such officers, and invested them with such functions, as circumstances seemed to require. At the first town meeting, in 1656, Daniel Denton was chosen " Clark." He served about ten years, and was followed by Samuel Ruscoe, Nathaniel Denton, John Skidmore, Samuel Ruscoe, Benjamin Coe, and Zachariah Mills; each of whom served served several years during the first half century after the settlement of the town. In 1659 Mr. Coe, Richard Everet, Samuel Mathews, and Luke Watson were recommended to the governor for appointment as magistrates. For the same office Robert Coe, John Baylie, Benjamin Coe, and Daniel Denton were recommended in 1662; John Baylie and Daniel Denton in 1663, and Robert Coe in 1664. In 1662 Richard Brittnell and Richard Darling were chosen marshals. In 1663 William Foster and Daniel Denton were elected overseers of the poor, Francis Finch constable and Goodman Benedick lieutenant of the SUPERVISORS OF JAMAICA— EARLY MILLS. 201 town. Subsequent elections resulted as follows: 1664 — William Waters, William Foster, Luke Watson, Abra- ham Smith, and Joseph Smith, townsmen; 1665 — Henry Whitney, Benjamin Coe, Thomas Smith, Joseph Thurs- ton and Samuel Mathews, townsmen; 1666 — Samuel Smith, constable; 1670 — John Carpenter and Nehemiah Smith, overseers of the poor's stock; 1675 — Samuel Smith, constable; 1679 — Daniel Whythead and Nicholas Everit, overseers; 1681 — Henry Foster and George Wool- sey, overseers; 1682 — Nicholas Everit, constable, Sam- uel Smith and Nathaniel Denton, overseers; 1684 — Dan- iel Denton, Joseph Smith and Nicholas Everit, commis- sioners; 1686 — Thomas Smith, constable; Capt. Carpen- ter, Nehemiah Smith and Daniel Denton sen., commis- sioners. The first record of the choice of a supervisor in Ja- maica was made in April 1696, when William Creed was chosen; and it appears he was re-elected in 1697 "to meet and consult with those from the other towns;" from which it is reasonable to infer that the functions of the office then and now were, at least, similar. It does not appear who were chosen subsequent to 1697, till 1703, when William Creed was again elected. In the following list of supervisors each was annually re-elected until his successor was chosen; Nathaniel Denton, 1704; Zachariah Mills, 1705; Jon- athan Whitehead, 17 10; Joseph Smith (clerk of the peace), 1712; Daniel Bull, 1719; John Everit, 1722; Clerk Smith, or Joseph Smith, 1728; Samuel Higbe, 1729; Capt. Benjamin Whitehead, 1731; Abraham Ditmars, 1776; Capt. Benjamin Whitehead, 1777; Samuel Doughty, 1781; Nicholas Everit (in December), 1783; John J Skid- more, 1786; William Ludlum, 1799; Isaac Hendrickson, 1809; James Foster, 1815; John S. Messenger, 1817; Daniel Smith, 1820; John D. Ditmars, 1823; Daniel Smith, 1827; Silas Roe, 1829; George Johnson, 1831; John C. Smith, 1832; George Johnson, 1833; John C. Smith, 1834; John S. Lott, 1840; Martin I. Duryea, 1852; John B. Smith, 1866; James Nostrand 18CS; John H. Brinkerhoff, 1874. After the conclusion of peace, in 1783, by an act of the Legislature town meetings were held in December in all the towns for the election of town officers under the new regime. It is worthy of note that at the town meeting in April 1772 Joseph Prue was chosen " whipper." Mills. At an early day encouragement was given to such settlers as proposed to establish manufactories or mills. It is recorded in 1663 that John Ouldfield, a tanner, was voted a home lot and twenty acres of meadow, " at ye neck beyond ye haw trees," as an encouragement to set- tle and pursue his calling in the town. An obligation, which he afterward executed, is recorded, wherein he pledged himself to follow his trade "as afforesayd and to make such lether as will passe under ye seal." In 1S69 a lot was offered to Mr. Hubbard of Graves- end, to encourage him in establishing a mill in the town; and in 1670 the town stipulated to build a dam for a mill to be established by Benjamin Coe, who was " to grind ye tound's corne before strangers'," the people to bring it on such days as he should designate. At another meeting permission was given to Mr. Coe " to set up a grist-mill upon the river betweene Seller Neck and Plunder Neck." An agreement in accordance with the above stipulations was entered into by Mr. Coe, and the town afterward consented to the sale of this mill to a Mr. Jacobson. In 1675 an agreement was made with Joseph Carpenter and Caleb Carman to build a grist- mill and saw-mill " where the old mill stoode." Con- cerning the grist-mill they were to preform the same covenant that Benjamin Coe had made. They were to be permitted to use timber from the common lands of the town, " except clapboard and rayle trees under eighteen inches." They were to saw for the town " twelve pens in the hundred cheaper than any other person of any other towne have it," and for citizens of the town " that bringeth the timber one halfe of the sawn stuf for their laboure, provided that it is only for their owne use." It was voted in 1670 "that Nicholas the cooper shall have half an acre of land by the Beaver Pond to build a house on to supply the town with such cooper's work as they shall stand in need of." In 1685, at a town meeting, liberty was given to Ben- jamin Coe and John Hansen to establish a grist and full- ing-mill on Foster's River. They were granted the priv- ilege of the stream on the condition that they should maintain a good mill and grind for the inhabitants of the town at a toll of one-twelfth. In 1704, at a town meeting, " it was voted by ye ma- jority of ye sayd freeholders that Jonathan Whitehead & Benjamin Thirstone shall have liberty to put up a full- ing-mill in ye town of Jamaica aforesayd, on ye terms and conditions heretofore mentioned; that is to say, that ye sayd Jonathan Whitehead and Benjamin Thirstone shall be obliged both them & their heirs and assigns to full all sorts 0/ cloth, press ye same for three pence per yard, and to full for ye town's people before other town's people." Three principal streams flow through the town of Jam- aica, from sources immediately south of the range of hills that divides the town from Flushing. The largest of these runs from the vicinity of the village of Jamaica, and at Cornell's (or "Three-Mile") mill empties into a creek that flows into Jamaica Bay. Formerly three grist- mills were located on this stream. The first was one mile south from the village, and was known as One-Mile mill. Baisley's, or Two-Mile mill, was a mile farther south, and at the distance of another mile south, at the junction of the stream with the before-mentioned creek, was Cornell's. Farther east a grist-mill and a saw-mill are located, on a stream that runs through Springfield; the former be- longing to Frederick Loerz and the latter to Peter Nos- trand. Near the eastern boundary of the town is a stream that once propelled two grist-mills, Simmons's and Con- selyea's. Formerly, when grain was abundantly procured, these mills did a prosperous business. 25 202 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. Water Works. About 1850 the Nassau Water Works Company, which supplies the city of Brooklyn with water, purchased the water rights of One-Mile, Baisley's, and Simmons'* mills and paid damages for diverting the water from Cornell's and Conselyea's. The water thus procured was turned into a brick conduit, ten feet in diameter, with a fall of six inches per mile 'and a capacity of 40,000,000 gallons daily. Baisley's Pond was excavated, and, when full, gave a water surface of forty acres, the stream deliver- ing 33> 000 > 000 gallons per day. Simmons's Pond was also cleaned out, and afforded a water surface of 8^ acres and a daily supply of 2,000,000 gallons. The works have been extended to Rockville Centre, in Hempstead. In 1880 the water right was purchased from Frederick Loerz, a well fifty feet in diameter was sunk to a depth fifteen feet lower than the bottom of the pond, the water from the stream and pond was turned into it, and thence pumped into the main conduit, giving an additional daily supply of 300,000 gallons. These streams were originally well supplied with brook trout, but on the completion of the water works pickerel and perch were introduced, which in a few years exterminated the trout. Civil War Burdens. At a special town meeting held August 27th 1862 a resolution was offered by ex-Governor John A. King, and adopted, that a sum not exceeding $15,000 be borrowed on the credit of the town, for the purpose of paying each volunteer from the town, under the calls of the President of the United States for 600,000 men, a town bounty of $75, and that the amount expended be levied on the tax- able property of the town, and collected in the same manner as other town taxes. In pursuance of the act of May 7th 1863 the supervi- sor, town clerk, and justices of the peace of the town met on the 29th day of August 1863 and organized as a board of relief. At a meeting of this board on the first of September 1863 a resolution was adopted to borrow $30,000 on the credit of the town, and to issue town bonds of $500 or more for the payment thereof. A reso- lution was also adopted to expend, if necessary, $300 of this fund for the relief of the family of any white volun- teer or drafted man. It was also resolved that the board might, in the exercise of their judgment, expend this money in payment of substitutes, or exemptions for in- digent men. This board met from time to time and made appropriations under these resolutions; and the minutes of its proceedings show that relief was ordered in the case of colored drafted men. At a special town meeting held February 19th 1864 the action of the board of supervisors in reference to raising money to pay volunteers was approved. At a special town meeting July 30th 1864 the borrow- ing of a sum not exceeding $60,000 was authorized for the payment of volunteers. The vote by ballot stood — i i favor of the resolution, 237; against it, 6. In the case of the last call of the president for -300,000 men the raising of the sum of $60,000 for the payment of bounties was authorized at a special town meeting held January 7th 1865. Agriculture. Within the last twenty-five years market gardening has come to be the principal business of the people in the rural districts of the town. The increased and con- stantly increasing demand for garden \egetables in the city of New York and the facility with which they can be marketed there have effected this change. A change in one part of any business usually necessitates other changes, and the agriculture of Jamaica is not an ex- ception to this rule. The increased production of garden vegetables has called for a greater amount of labor than before on an equal area of ground, and the result has been a reduction in the size of farms, and an increase of their number. The successful prosecution of this industry has necessitated the more liberal use of fertilizers, and improved methods in the application of these/manures. A great improvement in the quality of the soil and an increase in its average productiveness have resulted. The change has also stimulated pro- ducers to the invention and adoption of improved methods of cultivation, whereby not only has the quan- tity been further increased, but vegetables have been produced out of their usual season; and the tables of consumers have come to be supplied in the depth of winter with the vegetables of midsummer. In the in- vention and adoption of these methods of forcing the production of vegetables out of their season Abraham Van Siclen has been a pioneer. He commenced his experiments about twenty years since with the produc- tion of rhubarb. From this he proceeded to the forc- ing of cauliflower, the preservation of squashes, and the production of other vegetables, till now the establish- ment includes six hot-houses, each 108 by 22 feet, for the production of lettuce and cucumbers; about 800 sash, each 3 by 6, for hotbeds to force cauliflower and produce various other plants, and two buildings for the preservation of squashes, with a capacity for holding 2,500 barrels. The apparatus for heating, watering, and attending all these establishments has been mostly the invention of Mr. Van Siclen. Ditmars Van Siclen, John B. Hopkins, John Selover, James Fredericks, and others are also engaged in this branch of gardening, and the markets in New York and Brooklyn are now sup- plied at all seasons with the vegetables that were form- erly procurable only in summer. Farmers' Co-operative Union. — In April 1870 a call was published for a meeting of the farmers of Jamaica at the hotel of James S. Remsen " to take action in reference to the unjust imposition of a tax upon farmers as pro- duce brokers." This call was signed by Abraham Van Siclen, John O'Donnell, and eighteen others. At this meeting a committee, of which John O'Donnell was chair- man, was appointed to wait on the commissioner of inter- nal revenue at Washington, and endeavor to obtain are- Farmers of Jamaica. 205 dress of the grievance. In this they were successful; and their success led to the organization of the " Farm- ers' Co-operative Union of Jamaica," in May of the same year, with Samuel E. Vanderveer president, John O'Don- nell and Abraham Van Sicklen vice-presidents, P. W. Remsen secretary, Ditmars Van Siclen treasurer, and 82 members. By the action of this union several matters affecting the interest of the farmers and gardeners of this town have been accomplished, and the utility and practicability of farmers' protective associations have been demon- strated. By the action of the union two robbers of a farmer in the town, on the highway, were captured, convicted, and punished; the Wallabout market in the city of Brooklyn was projected, and is now in the hands of a commission; the election of town officers in the interest of tax-payers and the removal of corrupt officials have been accom- plished; the remission of fines imposed on farmers and gardeners for selling produce in the streets of New York has been procured, additional market facilities for such producers have been obtained, and many other things ac- complished, of which a want of space forbids even the mention. Patrons of Husbandry. — In February 1874 the Farmers' Co-operative Union took action which resulted in the organization of Union Grange, No. 152, P. of H., of the town of Jamaica, on the 17th of March 1874, with fifteen charter members and the following officers: John O'Don- nell, master; E. F. Titus, overseer; E. Vanderveer, lec- turer; James Van Siclen, treasurer; Charles Debevoise, secretary; Samuel E. Vanderveer, chaplain; John A. Hegeman, gate keeper. The masters since have been: John O'Donnell, 1875; .E. F. Titus, 1876, 1877; Oliver P. Lott, 1878; John A. Hegeman, 1879; Garret Vandyne, 1880. Of the members of this grange John O'Donnell has been during seven years a member of the executive com- mittee of the State grange. This grange meets at its rooms in Harriman Row, Ful- ton street, Jamaica, the second Saturday evening of each month during the summer, and the second and fourth Saturday evenings, at half past seven, during the winter months. New York, Woodhaven and Rockaway Railroad. The company that built this road was incorporated March 21st 1877. It was organized with Daniel D. Con- over as president, Julius F. Chesebrough secretary and treasurer, and James C. Lane, Warren S. Peck, George M. Van Nort, Sheridan Shook, Daniel D. Conovcr, Elilui Hosford, James M. Oakley, Martin Freleigh, A. D. Con- over, F. S. Gibbs, E. R. Phelps, F. E. Stewart and J. F. Chesebrough directors. The road was completed so as to come into partial use September 1st 1880. It crosses Jamaica Bay on piles, with draw-bridges over the main channels. This road connects with the Long Island Railroad at Long Island City and Woodhaven, and by steamboat with New York city. It is mainly used for the conveyance of passengers to and from the seaside resort at Rockaway Beach. It is equipped with palace cars not excelled in tastefulness and convenience by those of any road in the United States. The present officers are: A. S. Hatch, treasurer; D. D. Conover; vice-president; J. Chesebrough, secretary and treasurer; J. M. Lunt, superintendent. M. P. Church of South Woodhaven. In the spring of 1856 Rev. S. Baker, a local preacher of the Methodist Protestant church, commenced labor in South Woodhaven. At that time there were only the famed Union race-course, three liquor saloons, and a few dwellings there. Services were at first held in the house of a Mr. Reeves;, then in a wood near this house, and afterward for about a year in an old barn. In this barn the M. P. church of South Woodhaven was organized, with twelve members. In time this little congregation and their faithful pastor succeeded in erecting a house of worship, at a cost of $1,100, the ground having been donated by W. Spencer. The house has an upper room, fitted up for church services, and a lower for Sunday- schools, etc. During several years Mr. Baker was pas- tor, superintendent of the Sunday-school, steward, and sexton. In 1863 he relinquished the charge of this little church, leaving it in a prosperous condition and free from debt. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Morley, of Brooklyn, who served the church about seven years, since which different local preachers have been in charge. Prominent Residents of the Town. abraham van siclen. The subject of this sketch is a son of James and Ida (Kouwenhoven) Van Siclen, and was born in the house where he now lives, October 5th 1824. His father was a native of New Lots, Kings county, and died about eighteen years ago, having lived on the Van Siclen homestead about forty years. On his mother's side Mr. Van Siclen is descended from the Kouwenhoven and Bergen families. The Van Siclens were among the earliest settlers on Long Island. Mr. Van Siclen's great uncle, Cornelius Cornell, saw service in the Revolution, was made a prisoner of war and detained in the prison ship at the Wallabout, and died while being brought ashore. Mr. Van Siclen was reared on the farm, and is one of the most practical farmers, and probably, without ex- ception, the most successful market gardner on Long Island. He lias been a leader in many improvements in the business, being the first to introduce green-houses for vegetable culture, and to engage in the cultivation of lettuce on an extensive scale. His aim has ever been to produce vegetables of a finer quality than those of any of his competitors, and his products have brought the highest market price and have a reputation in the markets of New York that is alone an attestation of the excellence of Mr. Van Siclen's system and the success of his efforts. 2o6 HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY. Mr. Van Siclen's early years were spent at home and in the district school of his neighborhood. Later he was for three years a student at the Union Hall Acad- emy, at Jamaica, then under the management of Henry Ouderdonk as principal. At the age of 28 he began business for himself, as a farmer and market gardener, in partnership with his brothers, James and Peter, leas- ing the home farm for seven years, when, their father having died, a division of the estate was made, where- by the homestead became Mr. Van Siclen's property. He has since lived there and has continued in business alone, with the result above stated. He married Martha A. Nostrand, of Flushing, by whom he has six children: Anna A., born March 8th 1864; Peter N., born June 10th 1865; Ida K., born September 17th 1866; Abram J., born August 15th 1868; Samuel B., born July iSth 1870, and Cornelia N., born July 3d 1873. The Van Sicklen family were long members of the Reformed church, but Mr. Van Sicklen and his house- hold worship with the First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica. Descended from a Whig family, Mr. Van Siclen is an ardent Republican. He is well known in the town and greatly respected by his fellow citizens, by whom he was tendered at one time the nomination for supervisor, which he declined to accept. For years he has been president of the Union Place and Rockaway Plank Road Company. JAMES VAN SICLEN. James Van Siclen is a son of James and Ida Van Siclen, and was born July 4th 1827, on the old family homestead in Jamaica, now the home of his brother Abra- ham. His education was obtained in the common schools of the vicinity and in Union Hall Academy at Jamaica. He was reared to farm life, and was early acquainted with all the details of successful market gardening, in which department of agriculture he has since been remarkably successful. So high is his reputation as a market gardener that it is not surpassed by that of his brother Abraham, and the name of either is a guarantee in the markets of New York of the superior excellence of such produce as they offer for sale. Upon the death of the elder Van Siclen James began business alone, taking as his share of the property of the three brothers, James, Abraham and Peter Van Siclen, that portion where he now lives. Mr. Van Siclen was married August 2nd 1864, to Ger- trude R. Lott, of Newtown. He has served as executor of the estates of Abraham Griffin and Stephen I. Lott, and as guardian of the children of the latter. He has been director and superintendent of the Union Place and Rockaway Plank Road Company, and has been promi- nent in the affairs of the town, having served as one of the trustees of the common lands of Jamaica and as chairman of the board, and having been- for two years past overseer of highways, besides having refused several important trusts. Mr. Van Siclen's home is one of the pleasantest and most completely appointed in Jamaica, and his farm is a model of neatness. All of the present improvements on the place were made by Mr. Van Siclen himself. His household are members and attendants of the Reformed church of Jamaica. THE VAN WYCK FAMILY. Cornelius Barentse Van Wyck, from whom the family of Van Wycks in America descend, was born in Holland; emigrated to this country in 1660, settled at Midwout (now Flatbush), on the west end of Long Island, and was one of the patentees of that tract of land. He there mar- ried Anna, daughter of the Rev. Theodorus Johannes Polhemus, by whom he had seven children, two sons and five daughters, all natives of Flatbush. In 1701 his sons removed from Flatbush to North Hempstead, Queens county. Theodorus, the eldest, set- tled at Great Neck, on the place now in the possession of Benjamin Hicks. The original house is still standing and is in a good state of preservation. Johannes, the second son, settled at Flushing, at the head of Little Neck Bay, the place now in possession of (Earl) William Douglas. The two brothers of the second generation are identified with Queens county. Theodorus was one of his majesty's justices of the peace. The oldest registry book in St. George's church, Hempstead, bears the following inscription: " This book was given to the parish of Hempstead by Theodorus Van Wyck, Esq., justice of peace and inhabitant of said par- ish." The register begins with June 1725, Robert Jenny being then rector of the parish. Theodorus married Mar- gretia, daughter of Abraham Brinkerhoff, and had four sons and three daughters. Of these Cornelius and The- odorus second left Long Island after 1730 and went to Fiskill, Dutchess county, and their descendants are iden- tified as the " Fishkill Van Wycks." Abraham, the third son, settled in New York, and from, him Pierre Courtlandt Van Wyck, for many years recorder of the city of New York, descended. Barent, the youngest son, in 1724, when he was 21 years of age, settled at East Woods, now Woodbury, L. L, in the town of Oyster Bay, and was possessed of a large tract of land in that vicinity. His descendants are still upon Long Island, in Queens and Suffolk counties. Barent Van Wyck married Hannah, daughter of Thomas Carman, and had four sons and three daughters. The sons, Thomas, Theodorus, Samuel and Abraham, were all farmers in the town of Oyster Bay. Of these Thomas was captain of the loyal Queens county militia and Abraham captain of the provincial militia. About 1787 Captain Abraham Van Wyck left Queens county, and bought 200 acres of land of James Rogers sen., at West Neck, on Huntington Harbor, L. I. This property he sold in 1793 to Abraham Van Wyck jr., his nephew and son-in-law. This farm became exceed- ingly productive, and so well known as to be a perfect market place. Its orchards bear the finest fruit, and its pasture has never failed. The stock is watered from a spring upon the shore, and tradition says whatever drank therefrom grew fat. The scenery here is of surpassing beauty. After you enter the gateway a beautiful panor- THE VAN WYCK FAMILY. ama is before you. The landlocked harbor is at your feet, with West and East Necks standing sentinel, and beyond Loyd's Harbor Long Island Sound stretches in the distance; and the rising hills of Connecticut, with its beautiful towns reflected back to view, complete the pic- ture. The antiquated mansion is located near the water side, and is of the old Dutch style. Its corner closets and wainscoted mantel, its half doors (upper and lower), and its small window panes, its Franklin stove, in which the hickory still burns, and its large old kitchen, with its chimney extending across the room, and under which the oven had its place, are still before us. This homestead was left to his eldest son, Samuel A. Van Wyck. By will of Samuel A. Van Wyck this prop- erty was left to his nephew Whitehead Hewlett, only son of his deceased brother Joshua H. Van Wyck, and he is the present proprietor. Abraham of West Neck had four sons and three daughters. Of these Abraham H., whose name is so often repeated in Queens county rec- ords, invested largely in real estate between East New York and Jamaica. His idea was that by the increase of population Brooklyn would naturally extend itself, and the land adjoining would be as necessary to it as the West End to London. Having bought the property of John Polhemus, Jamaica (a farm consisting of 200 acres, extending from the turnpike to the south road), he opened Van Wyck avenue in September 1834. Later he sold land at Woodhaven for a cemetery, now known as " Cypress Hills Cemetery." He died on the 24th of June 1849. Joshua H. Van Wyck (third son of Abraham of West Neck) removed- from Suffolk to Queens county and settled at Jamaica in 1836, where his descendants are still identified. He studied law and became a member of the Queens county bar. He died on the nth of Febru- ary 1847. William, the youngest son of Abraham Van Wyck of West Neck, was a practicing lawyer in the city of New York, and was never identified with the history of Queens county. Thomas (son of Barent of Woodbury) was captain of the loyal Queens county militia during the Revolu- tion. At the peace he went to Nova Scotia, giving a power of attorney to his two sons, Eldred and Barent. His son Eldred married and settled in Cold Spring, L. I. He was corporal or captain in Israel Young's troop of horse for Cold Spring. His property em- braced a large portion of the water front on Cold Spring Harbor; he is recorded as of Queens and of Suffolk county. In 1787 he gave a power of attorney to Obadiah Wright, and after this we are unable to trace him. Johannes Van Wyck (second son of Cors. Barentse), I who settled in Flushing, bought land at the head of Little Neck Bay of Richard and Sarah Corn well in 1705, and subsequently other lands near Little Neck on the Great Neck road. This land was held by the Van Wyck family and their descendants until 1819, when Major Cornelius Van Wyck sold the last 125 acres to YVynant Van Zandt jr. for $13,750, after which it all passed from the family and has since been cut up in lots and sold for building purposes. Johannes died in 1734, leaving four sons and three daughters. Cornelius, his eldest son, married Mary, daughter of Judge Isaac Hicks, and settled at the homestead at Little Neck. John, his second son, married Deborah, daughter of Adam Law. rence (high sheriff of Queens county), and settled at Flushing. He was sheriff of Queens county from 1747 to 1753, snd died in 1762. William, the third son, bought land at Newtown, married and settled there. He died in 1785, leaving a wife and seven children. He and his family became members of the Society of Friends in Newtown. Theodorus, the youngest son, married Mary, daughter of Philip Ritchie, of New York, and settled in Flushing. Cornelius, his eldest, who settled at the homestead at Little Neck, married Mary, daughter of Judge Isaac Hicks. He died in 1759, leaving three fons and three daughters. Stephen, his eldest son, was a deputy for Queens county to the Provincial Congress in 1775, r